title: Diabetes can be prevented by reducing insulin production.
abstract: Hypersecretion of insulin increases the chance of the incidence of diabetes type I and II, while inhibiting insulin secretion helps prevent diabetes. Trace elements like zinc and vanadium prevent hyperinsulinemia, partly because of their own insulin activity, which is also a property of interleukin-1 (IL-1), particularly during periods of illness and stress. Like vanadium, IL-1 can replace insulin for many hours and regulate glucose metabolism. Vanadium, zinc and IL-1 ensure that insulin-producing beta-cells in the pancreas do not lose too much zinc, which leaves the beta-cells together with insulin. Zinc forms a complex with metallothionein in beta-cells that provides protection against free (oxygen) radicals, which become active during immune responses triggered by bacteria and viruses, for instance. In addition, zinc is the only non-toxic trace element in the body that regulates concentration-dependent immune responses on many levels. Avoiding deficiencies of trace elements will enable the reduction of the incidence of diabetes.
authors.affiliation: Ortho Institute, Baarn, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Sprietsma
authors.forename: G E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Schuitemaker
mesh_terms: D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000235:genetics / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000378:metabolism; D000078790:Insulin Secretion; D007515:Islets of Langerhans / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011254:Pregnancy in Diabetics / Q000517:prevention & control; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014639:Vanadium / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015032:Zinc / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D007328:Insulin; D014131:Trace Elements; D014639:Vanadium; D015032:Zinc