Magnesium Chloride for Diabetes

The human body requires magnesium. People at risk for diabetes or those already diagnosed sometimes have a magnesium deficiency and may benefit from taking magnesium chloride as a dietary supplement.

Basics

• Many people get enough magnesium through their diets, but for some, this does not maintain proper levels. People at risk to develop Type 2 diabetes increase that risk if they also have a magnesium deficiency, possibly because magnesium plays a role in regulating blood sugar. However, the exact correlation is still being studied, according to the National Institutes of Health. People who already have diabetes of any type may also have a deficiency of magnesium if their kidney function is impaired because the kidneys regulate magnesium levels.

Formulations

• Magnesium chloride is not the only type of supplement manufactured, but it has been shown to be one of the better-absorbed formulations.

Symptoms

• Symptoms of too much or too little magnesium are the same and can include mental effects, loss of appetite, nausea, irregular heartbeat or weakness. A doctor should be consulted because these symptoms can have many other possible causes.

Recommendations

• Find out how much magnesium is recommended for your age group, and if you have or are at risk to develop diabetes, make sure you are getting the recommended daily amount.

Warning

• Antibiotics can cause depletion of magnesium, while antacids and laxatives can lead to elevated levels. Magnesium can interfere with the action of tetracycline antibiotic absorption. People with impaired digestive or kidney function, or poorly controlled diabetes, are more at risk for magnesium deficiency. Over-consumption of magnesium is rare, but the supplement can cause diarrhea.