Lower Your Type 2 Diabetes Risk with Higher Intake of Magnesium

Originally Posted November 20, 2014

Type II Diabetes is on the rise, as people consume more food that is high in sugar.  Cutting back sugar will reduce the risk of developing this debilitating disease for sure.  Research shows that an increase in Magnesium will also reduce that risk, including whole grains, nuts and green leafy vegetables in your daily diet.

Reported by USANA Health Sciences, Nov. 19, 2014

Diabetes, and in particular Type 2 diabetes, is a growing health concern worldwide. Untreated or poorly controlled diabetes increases risks of many health conditions. Adults with diabetes are two to four times more likely to have heart disease or a stroke than adults without diabetes.

Experts agree that diet plays an important role in the development and progression of type 2 diabetes. According to epidemiological evidence magnesium intake may be related to the incidence of diabetes.

Magnesium is found primarily in whole grains, nuts and green leafy vegetables, and is an essential cofactor in enzymes involved in glucose metabolism.

In a study published in Diabetes Care, researchers conducted a meta-analysis to examine the association between magnesium intake and the risk of type 2 diabetes. The study included 13 prospective cohort studies and 536,318 participants. The included studies were published between 1999 and 2010 and involved follow-ups of up to 20 years.  

After adjusting for geographic location, follow-up length, gender, or family history of type 2 diabetes, the combined studies indicated a significant (22%) reduction of risk of type 2 diabetes when comparing the highest magnesium intake group to the lowest. The inverse association was also more pronounced in overweight individuals, suggesting that high magnesium intake may have greater effects on improving insulin sensitivity in overweight individuals who are prone to insulin resistance.

In the analysis of dose-response it was found that for every 100 mg/day increment in magnesium intake there was a 14% reduction in type 2 diabetes risk.

The results of this study provide additional evidence that magnesium, in a dose-dependent manner, is associated with a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes.

Jia-Yi Dong et al. Magnesium Intake and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes: Meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies. Diabetes Care 34:2116–2122, 2011.

From Deanna:  In addition to healthy food choices, I include magesium supplementation with the USANA Essentials (antioxidants, vitamins and minerals) and the Active Calcium Plus.

it is difficult to get all the magnesium you need every day, totally from your food.  Optimal nutritional supplementation by pharmaceutically manufactured products becomes necessary to provide the kind of protection you need.

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