Try Natural Calm Magnesium Citrate

Long-Term Study Confirms Link Between Magnesium, Diabetes, and Inflammation

A 20-year prospective study involving nearly 4,500 initially non-diabetic Americans has shown a direct and inverse relationship between magnesium intake and the development of diabetes.

Low levels of magnesium were also associated with markers of inflammation such as high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and fibrinogen.

• RESULT: Magnesium Intake in Relation to Systemic Inflammation, Insulin Resistance, and the Incidence of Diabetes Diabetes Care | Dec 1, 2010.

This is not news with regard to diabetes per se. Seven years ago, a much larger study from the Harvard School of Public Health showed a similar association over the course of 18 years. But the recent study also adds to the evidence that magnesium protects against vascular inflammation. American Diabetic Association Magnesium Intake and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes in Men and Women

Next Section Abstract

OBJECTIVE—To examine the association between magnesium intake and risk of type 2 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—We followed 85,060 women and 42,872 men who had no history of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, or cancer at baseline. Magnesium intake was evaluated using a validated food frequency questionnaire every 2–4 years. After 18 years of follow-up in women and 12 years in men, we documented 4,085 and 1,333 incident cases of type 2 diabetes, respectively.

RESULTS—After adjusting for age, BMI, physical activity, family history of diabetes, smoking, alcohol consumption, and history of hypertension and hypercholesterolemia at baseline, the relative risk (RR) of type 2 diabetes was 0.66 (95% CI 0.60–0.73; P for trend <0.001) in women and 0.67 (0.56–0.80; P for trend <0.001) in men, comparing the highest with the lowest quintile of total magnesium intake. The RRs remained significant after additional adjustment for dietary variables, including glycemic load, polyunsaturated fat, trans fat, cereal fiber, and processed meat in the multivariate models. The inverse association persisted in subgroup analyses according to BMI, physical activity, and family history of diabetes.

CONCLUSIONS—Our findings suggest a significant inverse association between magnesium intake and diabetes risk. This study supports the dietary recommendation to increase consumption of major food sources of magnesium, such as whole grains, nuts, and green leafy vegetables

RESULT: Magnesium Intake and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes in Men and Women Diabetes Care | Jan 1, 2004 (FREE FULL TEXT) A search on the term "magnesium" finds numerous publications in the last four months elaborating on the association between magnesium intake and cardiovascular problems.

RESULT: Serum Magnesium, Ambulatory Blood Pressure, and Carotid Artery Alteration: The Ohasama Study American Journal of Hypertension | Nov 3, 2010 (FREE FULL TEXT) RESULT: Magnesium deficiency promotes a pro-atherogenic phenotype in cultured human endothelial cells via activation of NFkB BiochimicaetBiophysicaActa(PubMed) | Nov 1, 2010

RESULT: Serum magnesium and risk of sudden cardiac death in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study American Heart Journal (PubMed) | Sep 1, 2010 (Green leafy vegetables are rich with magnesium. Numerous studies are underway testing the effects of magnesium supplementation on cardiovascular risk and diabetes.)

Are vitamin D, calcium and magnesium effective in preventing type 2 diabetes?

If so, how much should one take?

Expert answer: There are also several studies published in the past 10 years that correlate a low magnesium intake or low level of magnesium in the blood with greater risk of development of diabetes. The design of these studies is very similar to the vitamin D studies. They show a correlation and not a causation. It is a good idea to read nutrition content on food labels to see if you are getting enough vitamin D, calcium or magnesium.

The recent Institute of Medicine study recommends everyone age 1 to 70 take 600 international units (IU) per day of vitamin D and those over 71 take 800 IU. The institute recommends adolescents age 9 to 18 receive 1,300 mg per day of elemental calcium. Women age 19 to 50 should take 1,000 mg of elemental calcium. Women should increase to 1,200 mg starting at age 51. Men should take 1,000 mg of elemental calcium from age 19 to age 70 and increase to 1,200 mg at age 71. Too much vitamin D and/or calcium can lead to kidney stones. No more than 4,000 IU of vitamin D should be consumed daily and no more than 2,000 mg of calcium. Magnesium is found in nuts, beans, whole grains and green leafy vegetables magnesium levels are generally good in people who have a balanced diet.

Like calcium, most physicians check it routinely and will obtain dietary counseling for moderately low levels or prescribe replacement if the level is very low. The recommended daily requirements for adolescent and adult males are 270 to 400 mg per day. Adolescent and adult females should get 280 to 300 mg per day. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should get more: 320 to 355 mg.

Ultimately, what we need is a study that randomizes people at high risk of developing diabetes into four groups. One to receive supplementation with vitamin D, one with magnesium, one with both, and one with placebo (an inactive drug). After several years of follow-up and comparison of the four groups we can determine if vitamin D or magnesium is useful in preventing diabetes. Smaller and shorter term prospective studies could be done to see if vitamin D and magnesium are good treatments for people who already have diabetes

American Diabetic Association