Zinc is well known as an insulin mimetic, as well as a regulator of oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, and insulin secretion. Zinc has shown modest improvements in many areas of blood sugar control, including reducing fasting glucose and HbA1c (glycated hemoglobin) levels. This review highlights the importance of further, longer studies.
Food Nutr Bull. 2013 Jun;34(2):215-21. PMID: 23964394