Calcium and Magnesium Supplements and Diabetes

Magnesium Supplements and Diabetes

Diabetes is a condition of chronically high blood sugar and, subsequently, high blood pressure. I know, you're saying, "Duh!?!"

But I'm getting at something a little bit different here. High blood sugar results in a chemical reaction on the inside walls of your arteries called "glycosylation".

This byproduct accumulates in the arteries and makes them stiff and rough. The result? higher blood pressure because of the "stiffness" of that muscle on the insides of your arteries. Further, the "roughness" provides a nice place for platelets to aggregate, potentially forming clots.

Another important aspect is a condition known as "diabetic neuropathy". Most people with diabetes are familiar with this complication because of its debilitating course when blood sugar remains out of control. How does this play any role in blood pressure?

Well, some nerves in your body have the purpose of regulating the contraction of certain arteries throughout your body. When these nerves are damaged, the arteries will be constricted for long periods of time. Thus, high blood pressure!

So, have you picked up how magnesium can be beneficial for a person with diabetes?

Right! Because all those arteries are contracted, magnesium will help relax those arteries and maintaining a healthy blood pressure.

That's the theory at least. It hasn't been absolutely proven that magnesium is beneficial for individuals with diabetes, but doctors and dietitians all around the world are suggesting magnesium supplements for their patients with diabetes. But we're not just talking about blood pressure here...

Magnesium is also helpful in maintaining a normal blood sugar! The reason is because magnesium is needed for the process of glucose metabolism (called glycolysis) which removes sugar from the circulation for the production of energy.

Long term control of blood sugar will also mean fewer complications down the road, namely heart disease, anemia, neuropathy, kidney disease, eye problems and recurrent infections. So, eat your whole grains and vegetables!

It is extremely important to consult your physician before taking magnesium supplements if you have diabetes. The reason is because if complications exist, such as kidney disease, magnesium levels may become too high.

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