Minerals in the News Vol. 10, No. 2 (February 2012)
Beneficial Effect of Chromium Supplementation on Glucose, HbA(1)C and Lipid Variables in Individuals with Newly Onset Type-2 Diabetes
J Trace Elem Med Biol; Jul 2011;25(3):149-53.
Sharma S; et al.
Summary
This study looks at the effect of chromium supplementation on blood glucose, HbA(1)C and lipid profile in newly diagnosed type-2 diabetics. It was a placebo-controlled single blind prospective study. The newly diagnosed type-2 diabetics (40 in total) were divided into two groups. One receiving 42 mcg of chromium (in brewer's yeast) and the other received the yeast containing no chromium. Study took 3 months, with subjects not changing eating or living habits. Measurements of fasting blood glucose, HbA(l)C, and lipid profile were done at the start and ending of study. The patients receiving the chromium had significant improvements in all of the parameters measured: fasting blood glucose, HbA(l)C, and lipid profile. Researchers concluded that chromium supplementation was beneficial to newly diagnosed type-2 diabetics.
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Micronutrient Deficiencies in Patients with Typical and Atypical Celiac Disease
J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr; Sep 2011; 53(3):265-70.
Botero-Lopez JE, et al.
Summary
The nutritional status of iron, copper, and zinc in patients with typical celiac disease (TCD) and atypical celiac disease (ACD) was evaluated, in an attempt to evaluate the extent of digestive and absorptive problem found in celiac disease (CD). This cross sectional study involved 3 groups: TCD, ACD, and healthy controls (HC). Measurements were made of the subjects hemoglobin, serum ferritin, free erythrocyte protoporphyrin, FE, CU, ceruloplasmin, Zn, antiendomysia I antibodies, and anti -tissue transglutaminase antibodies, which were submitted for study by Kruskal-WaJlis, principal component analysis, and linear discriminant analysis. In general, TCD and ACD subjects had lower hemoglobin than the controls. Serum ferritin were lower in the TCD and ACD as compared to controls. Serum copper and ceruloplasmin were lower in TCD and ACD subjects, as well. The iron and copper status of the TCD was lower than the ACD subjects. However, all forms of CD had parameter changes that, in general indicated micronutrient deficiencies.
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Magnesium Deficiency Induces Anxiety and HPA Axis Dysregulation: Modulation by Therapeutic Drug Treatment
Neuropharmacology; Aug. 4 2011.
Sartori SB, et al.
Summary
Studies have implied a relationship between magnesium (Mg(+2)) homeostasis and anxiety. Mg+2 has been seen to modulate the hypothalamic-pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis. The study attempts to test whether dietary Magnesium deficiency can elicit anxiety-like behavior, and if this does alter HPA axis function. In the study magnesium deficient mice did exhibit enhanced anxiety like behavior in a group of established anxiety tests. Magnesium deficiency lead to an increase in the transcription of the corticotropin releasing hormone in the paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus (PVN) and elevated ACTH levels, indicating a change in the HPA axis set point. In general this study demonstrates the validity to the relationship between magnesium deficiency and enhanced anxiety states. This may come about as a result of hyper-emotionality induced by hypomagnesemia contributing to dysregulation of the HPA axis.
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Effect of Magnesium Deficiency on Various Mineral Concentrations in Rat Liver
Biol Trace Elem Res; Apr 5 2011.
Kim KH; et al.
Summary
It has been seen that magnesium deficiency can impact the metabolism of some other minerals, particularly trace minerals. This study looks at the impact that magnesium deficiency may have on the hepatic levels of the minerals in rats. Two groups of young rats were given a control or a magnesium deficiency diet. After 4 weeks, liver samples were gotten from the animals, and the levels of 37 different minerals were determined via semiquantitative ICP-MS testing. The test results showed that magnesium deficiency caused a significant increase in iron, copper, zinc, gallium, yttrium, zirconium, molybdenum, rhodium, silver, and barium levels in the liver of the test subjects, with a significant decrease in liver scandium and niobium. The hepatic Fe, Cu, Zn, Sc, Zr, and Mo concentrations were also quantitatively measured, and they mimicked the semiquantitative analysis. This was the first study showing changes in hepatic Ga, Y, Zr, Mo, Rh, Ag, Ba, Sc, and Nb levels in magnesium deficient rats. It also validated the use of semiquantitative analysis with ICP-MS to investigate mineral levels in animal tissues.
