Addressing Micronutrient Requirements in Type 2 Diabetes: An International Consensus Report

Medical nutritional therapy, an evidence-based application of the nutrition care process guided by a registered dietitian nutritionist, is an integral part of diabetes management, with emerging evidence suggesting distinct nutritional requirements in this population. A thorough review of the existing literature reveals an imperative to address the specific requirements for vitamins and minerals in this population. Current guidelines have given limited attention to micronutrients, despite the higher prevalence of deficiencies and the altered patterns of association between serum micronutrient levels and multiple health outcomes among individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D). To enhance diabetes management, an international multidisciplinary panel of 20 experts from 12 countries participated in a modified Delphi process, which was informed by a narrative review conducted by the research team, to reach consensus on 18 statements, encompassing 11 nutrient-specific recommendations and 7 statements outlining future directions in diabetes nutrition therapy research. The plan for this consensus has been registered on the Practice Guideline Registration for Transparency (PREPARE) (Registration Number: PREPARE-2025CN1178). The expert panel proposed potential target serum levels, screening strategies, and micronutrient supplementation for people with T2D and that personalized nutritional strategies integrating individual characteristics, genetic information, and gut microbiota represent key areas for future research.