Magnesium’s role in metabolic health
Research suggests that magnesium deficiency can lead to the development of metabolic syndrome.
Magnesium is a key mineral that is essential for hundreds of biochemical reactions in the human body. A number of these reactions are important for supporting metabolic health and function, including glycogen breakdown, ATP generation, insulin sensitivity and production, promoting a balanced inflammatory state, improving heart muscle contractions, and allowing blood vessels to properly dilate and contract. With the important role that magnesium plays, it’s sobering to note that nearly half of the U.S. population consumes less than the required daily amount of magnesium from dietary sources.1
Magnesium’s critical role in the biochemical reactions listed above has led researchers to suggest that magnesium deficiency plays a central role in the development of metabolic syndrome.2 Unfortunately, the incidence of diabetes continues to rise, with Centers for Disease Control estimates suggesting that more than 30 million people in the U.S. suffer from diabetes and an additional 84 million individuals, or more than one-third of U.S. adults, have prediabetes.3
Several recent clinical studies show that magnesium supports metabolic health parameters across a broad spectrum of the population. Some of this research is summarized here. As research continues to validate magnesium’s role in metabolic health, there needs to be an effort to firstly improve dietary intake of this mineral. The second step, and an easy and prudent choice to meet shortfalls, is to supplement with this critical mineral that can improve so many metabolic functions.
References
- Rosanoff A et al. “Suboptimal magnesium status in the United States: are the health consequences underestimated?” Nutrition Reviews, vol. 70, no. 3 (March 2012): 153-164
- Guerrero-Romero F et al. “Magnesium in metabolic syndrome: a review based on randomized, double-blind clinical trials.” Magnesium Research, vol. 29, no. 4 (April 1, 2016): 146-153
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “National Diabetes Statistics Report.” Updated February 24, 2018. Accessed on October 28, 2019, at: www.cdc.gov/diabetes/data/statistics/statistics-report.html
Photo © AdobeStock.com/Yury Zap
