Although diabetes is a disease of impaired glucose metabolism, glucose itself is a crucial source of energy for every cell in our body. Appropriate absorption, transport and utilization of dietary glucose by the cells is dependent on the hormone insulin which is secreted by the pancreas, and proper function of specific insulin receptors present on the cells. Various micronutrients are involved in glucose metabolism. For example, The B group of vitamins are critical for conversion of sugar molecules to bio-energy to be used by each cell. They work in synergy with other micronutrients to improve the efficiency of the liver and pancreas, the important organs in sugar metabolism. Vitamin C plays a crucial role in diabetes due to its structural similarity to sugar molecules. Increased blood glucose levels promote vitamin C deficiency inside the cells by competing with vitamin C for its intracellular entry. Vitamin D not only helps in calcium absorption, it also helps to improve immunity and to prevent infection and inflammation in diabetes patients thereby reducing sugar-related complications in other organs. Moreover, minerals like calcium and magnesium are important for optimum function of the muscles and nerves, blood glucose, blood pressure control, and bioenergy production in the heart. Chromium and other minerals help to maintain the glucose levels within normal limits. Chromium helps facilitate the cell response to insulin and appropriate utilization of glucose in the blood eventually lowering insulin requirements.

In a recent study conducted at the Dr. Rath Research Institute, we investigated different nutritional supplements and their effect on glucose uptake and regulation by skeletal muscle cells.^* Three different types of nutritional supplements were used: formula A contained a comprehensive combination of essential micronutrients including vitamins and minerals and amino acids, formula B contained only selected micronutrients important for glucose metabolism and formula C contained only the B group of vitamins. We did a comparative and a combination study using these formulas. The results showed that the combination of formulas A, B and C had the maximum effect resulting in an increased glucose uptake by the cells up to 370% over the control. A specific enzyme, protein kinase (Akt), is important for glucose transportation within the cells. Our study showed that while formulas A and B had stimulatory effect on a process called Akt phosphorylation, the highest effect (240% increase) was observed when all three formulas were combined. This combination was much higher than any of the formulas given individually.

This study shows that various micronutrient combinations affect glucose metabolism in muscle cells and their maximum benefits rely on synergistic cooperation of micronutrients. Our study also sends a message to the consumers of nutritional supplements to base their purchasing decision on the scientifically proven efficacy of the product, not on attractive but often misleading advertising slogans. Trust the companies that invest in natural health research not in marketing only!

* M. Chatterjee et al., J Cell Med Nat Hlth, May 2019