Researchers from Romania Discover Proteins and Key Vitamins Linked to Milder Diabetic Nerve Damage
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Jul 02, 2026 1 hour, 7 minutes ago
Medical News: A new study has found that people with type 2 diabetes who consume higher amounts of certain nutrients may be less likely to develop severe diabetic nerve damage, even after taking into account blood sugar levels and how long they have lived with diabetes. The findings suggest that while healthy eating remains important, specific nutrients may play a more direct role in protecting nerves than previously thought.
Researchers found that higher intake of protein, magnesium, zinc, vitamin B3 and vitamin B12 was associated
with less severe diabetic nerve damage
Scientists Investigate Diet and Nerve Damage
The research was conducted by scientists from the Ștefan cel Mare University of Suceava, the Integrated Center for Research, Development and Innovation in Advanced Materials, Nanotechnologies, and Distributed Systems for Fabrication and Control (MANSiD), and the “Sfântul Ioan cel Nou” Emergency Clinical Hospital, all in Suceava, Romania.
The team studied 300 adults with type 2 diabetes who had diabetic peripheral neuropathy, a condition in which high blood sugar gradually damages nerves, especially in the feet and legs. This can cause numbness, burning pain, weakness, poor balance, foot ulcers and, in severe cases, disability.
Participants completed detailed food questionnaires covering their eating habits during the previous four weeks. Researchers also reviewed medical records, blood sugar control, diabetes duration and treatment while measuring the severity of nerve damage.
Healthy Diets Help, But Nutrients Stand Out
The researchers identified five major eating patterns. Diets rich in processed foods, fast food, refined grains, alcohol and animal fats were initially linked to more severe nerve damage. In contrast, diets containing more vegetables, fruits, legumes, fish and low-fat dairy products appeared to be associated with milder disease.
However, after adjusting for important factors such as age, sex, diabetes duration, HbA1c levels and treatment, these overall dietary patterns were no longer independently linked to neuropathy severity.
Instead, several individual nutrients continued to show a strong relationship with healthier nerves.
Five Nutrients Show Consistent Benefits
The strongest findings involved higher intakes of protein, magnesium, zinc, vitamin B3 (niacin), and vitamin B12.
People consuming more of these nutrients consistently had lower odds of experiencing advanced nerve damage, even after researchers accounted for differences in diabetes control and disease duration.
This
Medical News report highlights an important shift in thinking. Rather than focusing only on broad dietary patterns, doctors may eventually pay closer attention to ensuring patients receive enough specific nutrients that directly support nerve health.
Magnesium helps regulate nerve signaling, supports energy production and improves glucose metabolism. Zinc contributes to antioxidant defenses and helps control inflammation while supporting tissue repair. Vitamin B3 plays a role in cellular energy production, whereas vitamin B12 is essential for maintaining the protective covering around nerves and supporting nerve repair. Protein provides the building blocks needed to maintain body tissues, including nerves.
The researchers also noted that long-term use of metformin, one of the most common diabetes medications, has previously been associated with reduced vitamin B12 levels, making adequate intake especially important for many patients.
Blood Sugar Control Still Comes First
The study also confirmed that people with longer-lasting diabetes, higher HbA1c levels and greater need for insulin therapy generally experienced more severe neuropathy. This reinforces that controlling blood sugar remains the most effective strategy for preventing diabetic nerve complications.
Nevertheless, the findings suggest that improving intake of specific nutrients could become a valuable addition to standard diabetes care rather than replacing existing treatment.
Conclusion
The researchers conclude that while overall healthy eating remains beneficial, individual nutrients appear to have a more direct association with diabetic nerve damage than general dietary patterns alone. Ensuring adequate intake of protein, magnesium, zinc, vitamin B3 and vitamin B12 may help support nerve health alongside good blood sugar control. Because this was an observational study, it cannot prove these nutrients prevent neuropathy, but it provides strong evidence that future long-term clinical trials should explore targeted nutritional strategies as part of comprehensive diabetes management.
The study findings were published in the peer reviewed journal: Nutrients.
https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/18/13/2134
For the latest on diabetic neuropathy, keep on logging to Thailand
Medical News.
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