Abstract
We measured serum mineral levels before and after inpatient treatment of 26 diabetics in order to determine the effect of diet treatment, especially restricted diets. The mineral and dietary fiber contents of the diet for diabetes were also measured. The analyses were performed on 1, 200kcal and 1, 840kcal hospital-supplied diets for diabetes actually served to inpatients on each of 31 days. Serum iron and serum calcium were significantly lower after treatment than before, and serum copper tended to be lower. Serum zinc levels hardly changed, but the serum levels of zinc enzyme alkaline phosphatase were significantly lower after treatment. The actual measurements of minerals in the diet used for diabetes showed that there was a strong possibility of deficient intake of elemental iron, zinc and magnesium, in addition to calcium and copper. Actual measurements of dietary fiber did not show any tendency for excessive intake. Thus, deficient mineral intake in the diet used for diabetes appeared to have a major influence on the decreased serum mineral levels observed after treatment.
