Magnesium - An Essential Factor in Glucose Metabolism

Plasma and intracellular magnesium concentrations are tightly regulated by several factors. Insulin seems to be one of the most important. The studies have demonstrated that insulin may modulate the shift of magnesium from extracellular to intracellular space. Intracellular magnesium concentration affect insulin action, mainly by oxidative metabolism of glucose. Intracellular magnesium deficiency may affect the development of insulin resistance and alter the glucose entry into the cell. Low levels of magnesium have been associated with a number of chronic diseases, such as insulin resistance and diabetes, hypertension, disorders of the cardiovascular system, retinopathy, nephropathy or neuropathy. Experimental studies in animals and cross-sectional studies in humans suggest that low levels of magnesium levels may impair glucose metabolism and lead to type 2 diabetes. Magnesium supplementation leads to an improvement fasting glucose levels and insulin sensitivity indices. Magnesium supplementation improves insulin sensitivity in overweight patients even in normomagnesemic and without diabetes. This suggests the need for early optimize the level of manganese to the prevention of insulin resistance and progression of diabetes in people with overweight. Because recent data suggest a relationship impairment of glucose homeostasis with hypomagnesemia it is right to routinely monitor magnesium levels in these patients.