[Micronutrients in diabetology: complementary medicine update 2014]

Diabetes mellitus is one of the most prevalent endocrine diseases that is associated with high oxidative stress and vascular inflammation. Type 1 and 2 diabetes are characterized by significant losses of important micronutrients such as vitamin C, magnesium, zinc or vitamin D due to metabolic basis of the disease, medication and/or its complications. The evidence of changes in micronutrient metabolism as a consequence of the disease and the influence of selective supplementation are reviewed in this paper. The importance of micronutrients, notably vitamin C, B-group vitamins, vitamin D, vitamin K, coenzyme Q10, magnesium, zinc, chromium and copper under practical conditions are assessed. There is a lot of evidence that demonstrates the positive influence ofmicronutrient supplementation on glycemic control and the risk of diabetic complications.