Magnesium Deficiency & Diabetes

Magnesium is a metallic mineral that is essential for human health. Nutritionists such as Dr. Elson Haas classify magnesium as a macromineral, meaning your daily needs are measured in milligrams, rather than micrograms like trace minerals. Haas believes that magnesium deficiency is relatively common due to a scarcity of this nutrient in processed and highly refined foods. According to the June 2006 issue of "Journal of the American College of Nutrition," magnesium deficiency is particularly prevalent among diabetics.

Functions

Magnesium is a cofactor for hundreds of enzymes in your body. Many of these enzymes are involved in protein and carbohydrate metabolism and cellular energy production. In cooperation with calcium, magnesium helps to control the activity of your nerves and muscles. Magnesium also serves in the synthesis of DNA and the expression of genes in your chromosomes. Whereas calcium tends to be a stimulatory ion in your tissues, magnesium has the opposite effect, stabilizing your nerves, relaxing your muscles and helping to dilate your blood vessels. Magnesium is also important for maintaining blood glucose levels.

Sources

Magnesium is an integral component of chlorophyll, the green photosynthetic pigment in plants. Thus, some of the best food sources of magnesium come from the plant kingdom. Dark green vegetables, nuts, seeds, legumes, soy and whole grains are good dietary sources of magnesium. Many of these foods are included in diabetic diet plans. Haas reports that 85 percent of the magnesium in grains is lost during milling. Soaking or boiling foods leaches magnesium into the water. Due to food processing practices and poor dietary habits, almost one-third of Americans consume less than 65 percent of the recommended dietary allowance for magnesium.

Deficiency in Diabetes

The May 2003 issue of "The Clinical Biochemist Reviews" reports that magnesium deficiency is more commonly seen in certain conditions, such as high blood pressure, osteoporosis, coronary heart disease and diabetes. According to Dr. Francesco Corica at the University of Messina in Italy, low serum magnesium levels are highly prevalent in diabetics, whether they are in hospitals or in outpatient settings. High blood pressure, lipid abnormalities, cardiovascular disease and blood glucose control are all worsened by low magnesium levels.

Considerations and Recommendation

Magnesium deficiency is common in diabetic patients, where it exacerbates many of the underlying metabolic abnormalities that complicate this disorder. Measurements of serum magnesium may not accurately reflect your total body stores, and total body depletion can exist when serum magnesium levels are normal. Ionized magnesium levels may be more useful, as can a magnesium tolerance test. Your minimum daily intake is based on your ideal body weight. You should consume around 2.7 mg of magnesium for every pound of lean body weight. A safe nutritional margin, according to Haas, would add approximately 50 percent to this minimum requirement. Thus, a 150-pound person should consume approximately 600 mg of magnesium daily. Ask your doctor if you should take additional magnesium.