Study of Serum Magnesium Levels in Type II Diabetes

Compiled by Dr.Poonam Lalla –AGM Marketing

The global burden of diabetes and its related complications is growing at an unprecedented level with India reporting the highest number of diabetics in the world. Newer theories have tried to link elements like magnesium and Vitamin D to glucose metabolism.

Magnesium is an essential nutrient for the brain and body. It helps regulate blood sugar, among its many benefits. Yet a magnesium deficiency is often seen in people with diabetes. A deficiency can occur with type 1 and type 2 diabetes but appears to be more prevalent with type 2. This is because low levels of magnesium are associated with insulin resistance. If you have type 2 diabetes, your body produces insulin, but your cells are unable to effectively respond to it. This is called insulin resistance. People with insulin sensitivity or resistance also lose excess magnesium in their urine, contributing to lower levels of this nutrient. Some people with type 1 diabetes also develop insulin resistance. This may put them at risk for a magnesium deficiency, too. Taking a magnesium supplement, however, can increase your magnesium blood level and improve diabetes control. If you have pre-diabetes, supplementation may also improve blood sugar and possibly prevent type 2 diabetes.

Transasia undertook a study to understand and associate deficiency of magnesium levels with the risk of diabetes mellitus. This study was published in the “International Journal of Clinical Biochemistry and Research (IJCBR)”

• Topic of Study: Study of serum magnesium levels and its correlation with glycemic status in type II diabetes patients
• The samples were processed for Serum Magnesium and HbA1C test by Immunoturbidimetric method on XL 640- Fully Automated Biochemistry Analyzer (Transasia Biomedical Ltd, India).

Synopsis of the study :

• Serum magnesium is an important serum electrolyte and has a pivotal role in various functions in the body. Magnesium plays an important role in insulin secretion, insulin binding, and homeostasis. Magnesium acts directly on glucose metabolism through its role as a cofactor in the phosphorylation of glucose.
• Hypomagnesaemia is often left undiagnosed in diabetic subjects chronic deficiency of magnesium may contribute to systemic inflammation and insulin resistance. The negative correlation coefficient strengthens the interpretation of the HbA1c and serum magnesium values being inversely proportional. So if serum magnesium values are made to rise, glycemic control is better and HbA1c values will fall.
• Oral supplementation with MgCl ² solution restores serum magnesium levels, improving insulin sensitivity and metabolic control in type 2 diabetic patients with decreased serum magnesium levels. The various metabolic alterations in diabetes create a biochemical complexity in the body.
• The present study, however, revealed that the serum magnesium levels did not bear a constant relationship with the diabetic control of the study population as assessed by the HbA1C levels of the participants.
• Furthermore, detailed analysis of the various parameters including dietary intake of magnesium, loss of magnesium owing to diuresis, and malabsorption need to be considered while assessing serum magnesium levels in diabetic individuals.
• Proper counseling should be given to diabetic patients about the need of taking magnesium through diet and healthcare professionals should be made aware of the risks associated with hypomagnesemia left undiagnosed in diabetic patients and its ill effects.

To know more about this paper, click on the link below

Authors: Dr. Shilpa A Pratinidhi Dr.Yuvraj Badhe, Dr.Chaitanya Bhujbal,  Dr.  Mohak Tilokchandani

Venue: Maharashtra Institute of Medical Education and Research Medical College & Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee Medical College and Hospital, Pune.

Published in: International Journal of Clinical Biochemistry and Research  Volume: 8, Issue: 4, Year: 2021, Article Page: 294-296

Online Link: https://www.ijcbr.in/article-details/15625