Role of Trace Elements In Diabetes And Hypertension

Abstract

Trace elements make up about 0.012% of the human body weight and are essential for normal growth anddevelopment. Disease states relate to deficiency or excess of certain trace metals. There is accumulating evidencethat metabolism of several trace metals are altered in diabetes mellitus (DM) and hypertension (HT). Thesemicronutrients might have specific roles in the pathogenesis and progression of the disease. It is not knownwhether differences in trace element status are a consequence of or whether they contribute to disease expressionaltering copper, zinc, magnesium, and lipid peroxidation status.Altered metabolism of trace metals have been associated with impaired insulin release, insulin resistance, andglucose intolerance. Perturbations in mineral status are particularly pronounced in diabetics with specific clinicalcomplications including retinopathy, hypertension and macrovascular diseases.Low concentrations and imbalances of certain trace elements occur from poor dietary intake, chronic illnesses,disasters or old age and may result in malfunction of the cardiovascular system, hypertension, arrhythmias andsudden death, or be significantly associated with diabetes. Major role of these elements seems to be to act ascofactor in several enzymatic pathways increase Oxidative stress, resulting in microvascular and macrovasculardamage leading to essential hypertension and diabetic specific complications.When people consume a diet derived from depleted crops, the intake of essential trace minerals becomesinadequate, which may lead to poor health and disease. Refined carbohydrate foods also cause a sharp drop in theconcentration of various vitamins and minerals. Dietary supplementation with trace metals plays both preventiveand curative roles in combating diseases.

Key words: Diet, Trace metals, Hypertension, Diabetes mellitus.