Diabetes mellitus: the trace element connection.

Diabetes mellitus was known to the ancient Greeks who more or less correctly assumed that the victim was literally urinating (Greek o u p o v, urine) himself away. Since 1674, when Sir Thomas Willis suggested that diabetics should have gummy and starchy food, a lot has been written. Satisfactory adequately controlled studies have yet to be done to establish the role of trace elements in the pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus and many studies have lead to contradictory findings and controversial conclusions. In some cases the disease is associated with metal abnormallties and in some of these, correction of the abnormality would affect a cure. Much work, however, remains to be done to pin—point these cases.