Effect of Zinc & Resveratrol Intervention on Risk Factor of Type 2 Diabetes, Diabetic Nephropathy & CVD
Research on functional foods for specific disease conditions are under explored. A review study by Pompano and Boy (2020) entitled, “Effects of Dose and Duration of Zinc Interventions on Risk Factors for Type 2 Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis” in the Advances in Nutrition journal sheds light on one such phenomenon. Their study has been integrated and summarized as below:
Objective:
To study the effect of low (<25 mg/d) versus high dose (≥25 mg/d) of zinc while supplementing for short (<12 wk) versus long duration (≥12 wk) to serve as a base for food biofortification with zinc in NCDs. To understand the protective effect of resveratrol in Diabetic Nephropathy.
Method:
An abundance of in vitro and preclinical studies were reviewed for Resveratrol. Studies published before 31st January 2020 were reviewed for Zinc.
Findings:
A comparison concludes that supplementing low doses of zinc for long-duration results in improved Insulin Resistance, improved blood glucose level, and improved lipid profile. This indirectly implies a reduction in risk factors for NCDs. This finding through supplementation supports the idea that if the bioavailability of zinc can be increased through crop biofortification it can show similar results as supplements. NCD like Type 2 Diabetes is well known for complications attached to it one of the major complications being Diabetic Nephropathy. Resveratrol is found to reduce this complication. Improved antioxidant defense system, a better balance between different signaling pathways and reduction in oxidative stress due to Resveratrol treatment help in maintaining Optimum kidney function during Diabetic Nephropathy.
Limitation:
Authors acknowledge that further human clinical trials are essential to understand the actual effect of food biofortified with zinc. Also, resveratrol treatment against DN needs future research-based findings.