Obesity Diabetes and Magnesium - A Strange Relationship

There has been a serious rise in the number of diabetes cases over the past several years. This unfortunate increase affects not just our adult population. Many overweight children have developed type 2 diabetes. Is there a connection between diabetes and magnesium deficiency?

Studies show that there is a correlation between a low magnesium level and insulin resistance. Diabetes, or insulin resistance occurs when the cells cannot or will not absorb insulin, a protein produced in the pancreas, in the conversion of glucose into energy.

Weight is a factor in type 2 diabetes in children. Overweight children also showed a higher magnesium deficiency rate than children in the normal weight range. Magnesium deficiency is seen in 55 percent of overweight children, and it is reported that over 75 percent of our population is deficient in this vital nutrient.

In 2005 a study was conducted at the University of Virginia. This study looked at the magnesium level in the body as well as insulin sensitivity in children. The magnesium intake through a dietary question was reviewed as well. This study showed a connection between magnesium deficiency and insulin resistance in children.

Our diets do not provide us sufficient magnesium, and the excess body fat that we carry does not allow us to properly use the magnesium we have to break down carbohydrates. Magnesium can be absorbed through transdermal application. Absorption through the skin is a much easier method than using an intravenous method. Many state that they feel more relaxed after applying transdermal magnesium.

The aforementioned study was published in Diabetes Care 28:1175-1181, 2005. We thank Diabetes Care and the University of Virginia for sharing this promising study, “Magnesium Deficiency is Associated with Insulin Resistance in Obese Children”.