Magnesium Supplement Helpful in Diabetes Control
Oral magnesium supplementation improves insulin sensitivity
and metabolic control in certain type 2 diabetics,
researchers report in the April issue of Diabetes
Care.
Drs. Martha
Rodriguez-Moran and Fernando Guerrero-Romero of
the Mexican Social Security Institute, Durango,
note that hypomagnesemia is frequently found in diabetes
and "could be involved in the development of
poor metabolic control and chronic complications." However,
randomized, controlled studies on this subject, they
add, are "scare and controversial." “It
is unfortunate that the "magnesium ion is a
typically overlooked electrolyte."
To further investigate whether oral magnesium supplementation
might be helpful in type 2 diabetics with decreased
serum magnesium levels, the researchers conducted
a double-blind trial involving 63 such subjects.
They were randomized to receive a daily treatment
with a solution containing 2.5 g of magnesium chloride
or to placebo.
At the end of the 16-week treatment period, compared
to the placebo group, those who received the supplement
had significantly higher serum magnesium concentration
(0.74 versus 0.65 nmol/L) and lower values (3.8
versus 5.0) for the homeostasis model assessment
for insulin
resistance index (HOMA-IR). There was also a reduction
in glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels (8.0
versus 10.1%).
These results, Dr Rodriguez-Moran continued, "show
the indubitable benefits of oral magnesium supplementation
as an adjuvant therapy for reducing fasting glucose,
HbA1c, and HOMA-IR index in subjects with type 2
diabetes. "
Taking into account the low cost and safety of
magnesium supplementation, she concluded, it
appears that "oral
magnesium could be a useful therapeutic tool for
achieving metabolic control in subjects with diabetes." Diabetes
Care 2003;26:1147-1152
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