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Zinc Crucial For Regulation Of Blood Sugar
Fri, 08 Jul 2011
A new study has found that higher levels of zinc may help people with type 2 diabetes control their blood sugar levels .

According to a team of University of Michigan researchers, the mineral is key in preventing the accumulation of tiny molecules called amylin that leads to the destruction of insulin-producing beta cells and the development of type 2 diabetes .

When zinc levels are normal, Amylin molecules help manage blood sugar levels. However, when zinc levels are low, amylin molecules tend to clump together. This produces toxic effects that kill off beta cells, affecting insulin production and resulting in unregulated blood sugar .

The researchers explained that zinc bonds with amylin molecules, thus preventing them from clumping together and damaging pancreatic beta cells. Furthermore, they revealed that a single zinc molecule can bond with several units of amylin, so exceptionally high levels of the mineral are not necessary for proper regulation.

They concluded that the findings, which are published in Journal of Molecular Biology, could be useful in the development of new medications that keep beta cells functioning normally, which could prevent type 2 diabetes.
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