In this prospective cohort study, our primary aim was to examine whether circulating Zn and Cu, trace elements involved in redox homeostasis, insulin signaling, and shown to influence lipid desaturation, modulate estimated desaturase activities (SCD1-16, SCD1-18, D5D, D6D) and their association with T2D risk. Here, INS is linked to type 2 diabetes mellitus.