The Daily News – June 26, 2025

I think it’s widely thought that diabetes is often blamed on sugar, insulin, and diet. But what if the real problem is something a lot smaller, something you can actually fix? Well, today we’re talking about a hidden hunger in diabetes, a deficiency in key vitamins and minerals, and how fixing it might actually be easier than you think. A new study in the British Medical Journal Nutrition Prevention and Health found that nearly half of people with type two diabetes have at least one micronutrient deficiency. And what was that biggest one you might ask? Vitamin D. More than 60% of participants were lacking this crucial vitamin, which of course plays a major role in insulin production and glucose metabolism, but that’s not the only one. Magnesium, vitamin B12 and iron were also commonly deficient. But what’s the good news here? Well, these deficiencies can be corrected. One doctor involved in the study explained it this way. Our finding suggests that approximately 45% of individuals with type two diabetes exhibit multiple micronutrient deficiencies. Okay, so that’s quite the statistic, but what’s the significance? Well, the doctor went on to say this highlights the potential for targeted nutritional interventions to complement existing treatments for diabetes management targeted nutritional interventions. What does that even mean? According to the dietician quoted in the article, focusing on whole foods, rich in vitamins and minerals is an additional strategy in diabetes management. For example, foods like leafy greens, nuts, seeds, fatty fish, and dairy, being careful to avoid processed foods, which can of course interfere with nutrient absorption also matters. As the study’s corresponding author explained, identifying and addressing these deficiencies could play a crucial role in improving glycemic control, reducing the risk of complications, and enhancing overall health outcomes. So if you found this information helpful, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit that notification bell for more updates. And as always, thanks so much for joining us on the Daily News.