Magnesium and type 2 diabetes
Barbagallo & Dominguez • World Journal of Diabetes
Key Finding
Type 2 diabetes frequently associated with extracellular and intracellular magnesium deficits; intracellular Mg critical for insulin action and glucose uptake; benefits of supplementation found in most studies
Key Findings
- 1T2D frequently associated with extracellular and intracellular Mg deficits
- 2Intracellular Mg critical for insulin action and glucose uptake
- 3Low dietary intake and increased urinary loss cause deficiency
- 4Mg supplementation benefits found in most but not all studies
Original title: “Magnesium and type 2 diabetes”
Plain English Summary
Review examining magnesium deficiency in type 2 diabetes. T2D frequently associated with both extracellular and intracellular Mg deficits due to low dietary intake and increased urinary loss.
In-Depth Analysis
Study Details
Authors: Mario Barbagallo, Ligia J Dominguez
Institution: University of Palermo, Italy
Journal: World J Diabetes, 2015 Aug 25; 6(10):1152-1157
PMCID: PMC4549665
Key Points (from original paper)
Main Finding
"Type 2 diabetes is frequently associated with both extracellular and intracellular magnesium (Mg) deficits."
Mechanisms of Deficiency
- •Chronic latent magnesium deficiency in poorly controlled diabetics
- •Overt hypomagnesemia in severe cases
- •Low dietary intake as primary mechanism
- •Increased urinary loss in diabetes
Role of Intracellular Magnesium
Intracellular Mg is critical for:
- •Insulin action
- •Glucose uptake regulation
Evidence for Supplementation
"Benefits of Mg supplementation on metabolic profiles in diabetic patients have been found in most, but not all clinical studies."
Recommendation
Authors emphasize need for larger prospective investigations to establish supplementation as public health strategy.
Source: PMC full text (PMC4549665)
Paradigm Relevance
How this study applies to different clinical perspectives:
Standard Medical
RelevantConventional clinical guidelines used by most doctors
Why it matters:
Supports magnesium monitoring in diabetic patients, especially those with poor control.
Research Consensus
RelevantCurrent scientific understanding, often ahead of guidelines
Why it matters:
Explains bidirectional relationship between magnesium deficiency and insulin resistance.
Metabolic Optimization
RelevantProactive targets for optimal health, not just disease absence
Why it matters:
Supports proactive magnesium optimization as part of comprehensive diabetes management.
Study Details
- Type
- Review Article
- Methodology
- Review article examining mechanisms of magnesium deficiency in diabetes and evidence for supplementation benefits.
Evidence Quality
Review from PMC4549665. University of Palermo. Authors recommend larger prospective studies.
Related Biomarkers
Calculate & Evaluate on Metabolicum
Original Source
DOI (Digital Object Identifier) is a permanent link to this publication. Unlike website URLs that can change, a DOI always resolves to the correct source.
Related Studies
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10-30% of populations have subclinical deficiency (<0.80 mmol/L); 48-50% US consumes below RDA; serum reflects <1% of body stores; linked to hypertension, arrhythmias, atherosclerosis, heart failure
Challenges in the Diagnosis of Magnesium Status
Workinger et al. • Nutrients • 2018
Blood magnesium represents only 0.8% of total body stores; 45% of Americans are magnesium deficient; 60% of adults do not reach recommended intake levels
Perspective: The Case for an Evidence-Based Reference Interval for Serum Magnesium: The Time Has Come
Costello et al. • Advances in Nutrition • 2016
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