One of the essential nutrients that our body needs is magnesium. This is the same nutrient that individuals with diabetes need to take to stabilize blood sugar level in the body. Therefore, magnesium is good for individuals with diabetes. Besides regulating blood glucose, magnesium helps in ensuring insulin sensitivity. It is necessary to prevent diabetes attacks and other health complications.
Insulin resistance can happen when a person with irregular blood sugar levels has a low amount of magnesium. It means that insulin treatment will not work as the body will not approve its functions towards our blood sugar. Our cells will not respond to insulin effectively.
Low magnesium levels do not affect individuals with type 1 diabetes. This phenomenon is more familiar with type 2. Thankfully, magnesium supplements are available. It increases magnesium levels and improves control of blood glucose. This fact explains the safety and benefits of magnesium to individuals with diabetes.
Benefits of magnesium for people with diabetes
There are different varieties of magnesium. However, not all of these varieties work for diabetes. Medical experts advocate only those types of magnesium that have high absorption rate. These include:
- Magnesium aspartate
- Magnesium citrate
- Magnesium lactate
- Magnesium chloride
These types or varieties have positive effects on blood glucose and prevents diabetes-related complications.
Other benefits of magnesium:
- It prevents hypertension or high blood pressure.
- It promotes the development of healthy bones.
- It lessens migraine attacks.
- It improves sleep patterns.
- It boosts exercise levels.
- It reduces episodes of depression.
- It mitigates physical inflammations.
Adding magnesium to your diet
Adding this nutrient to your diet can help improve your blood sugar levels. Here, we list some of the best sources of magnesium that you can mix on your daily or regular food consumption.
- Spinach
- Collard greens
- Nuts
- Whole grains
- Peanut butter (natural and unsweetened)
- Cereals
- Chicken (choose the breast part)
- Ground beef
- Avocados
- Yogurt (unsweetened)
- Oatmeal
You can discuss other food choices that you can consume for magnesium.
Doctor’s Recommendation
Getting enough magnesium is important for various chemical reactions in the body, including regulating blood sugar. Magnesium from food is generally safe, as the kidneys can remove excess through urine. However, taking too many magnesium supplements can lead to side effects like nausea, diarrhea, and stomach cramps. In severe cases, especially with high doses of 5,000 mg daily, magnesium toxicity can occur, causing symptoms like facial redness, low blood pressure, and difficulty urinating. People with kidney issues are at a higher risk of magnesium toxicity. It’s best to talk to a healthcare provider before starting any magnesium supplements to ensure safe use.
