Magnesium Supports Blood Sugar Balancing

by CP Staff

A recent study investigated the potential role of magnesium in blood sugar balancing in overweight subjects. Magnesium is the fourth most abundant mineral in the body and is required as a cofactor in over 300 biochemical reactions. The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2000 indicates that a substantial number of adults in the United States fail to get recommended amounts of magnesium in their diets.

In this new study, 52 overweight subjects with normal magnesium levels and insulin resistance were supplemented with magnesium or placebo for 6 months. The subjects were evaluated at the beginning of the study and again after the supplementation period for blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose, serum insulin, insulin sensitivity and blood lipid levels.

The study showed that magnesium supplementation resulted in significantly improved fasting plasma glucose levels and insulin sensitivity indices compared to placebo. Magnesium supplementation did not alter blood pressure or blood lipid levels.

The researchers concluded that this study provides significant evidence that magnesium supplementation improves insulin sensitivity, even in obese subjects with normal magnesium levels and insulin resistance. Thus, the study supports early optimization of magnesium status in order to support balanced blood sugar.

Reference:

Mooren FC, Krüger K, Völker K, Golf SW, Wadepuhl M, Kraus A. Oral magnesium supplementation reduces insulin resistance in non-diabetic subjects - a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial. Diabetes Obes Metab. 2010 Nov 18. Published Online ahead of Print.