Debbie Vail, NC
  • Health
  • About
  • Contact
  • Auburn Food Buying Club
  • Resources

The Magnesium Blood Sugar Connection

3/28/2017

8 Comments

 
Picture
​High blood sugar is prevalent.  Any statistic will show this to be true.  NBCnews.com reported in a 2015 article by Maggie Fox that “half of all U.S. adults have diabetes or blood sugar so high they’re almost diabetic.”  So most people will have to face this issue at some point in their lives.  The older we get the more we need to address this issue.
 
Reducing sugar and refined carbohydrate intake along with regular excise is indeed one of the biggest benefits to us in our quest for lowering blood sugar.  But there are certain nutrients and supplements that also help with high blood sugar and diabetes if we have adequate amounts.  One that I will focus on for this post is magnesium. 
 
Dr. Carolyn Dean, in her book, The Magnesium Miracle, states that magnesium deficiency may be an independent predictor of diabetes, and serves as a relatively new marker for the disease. 
 
The majority of people do not have optimum levels of magnesium.  A good test that we have available for testing magnesium is RBC (red blood cell) magnesium or Intracellular Magnesium, but it is not routinely ordered.  The magnesium test that most people get is the serum magnesium test, but this particular intracellular magnesium test measures the magnesium within the cells (intracellular) where most magnesium is found.  Since it is not routinely ordered, you would need to ask specifically for this test.  What would be an optimum level to have for this RBC or intracellular magnesium test?   You want to be in the upper range with 6.0-6.5 mg/dL, according to Dr. Dean.
 
Magnesium can be found in dark leafy greens, dairy products, meats, seafood, nuts, blackstrap molasses, seaweed, soybeans, seeds, nuts, wheat germ, whole grains and even chocolate.  Since magnesium is found in so many foods, why then would we become magnesium deficient?  Magnesium content in foods varies greatly depending on the magnesium content in the soil in which the food was grown.  Also, magnesium is lost in the industrial processing of the food, and in how the food is finally prepared.  For instance, boiling food in water causes magnesium to leach out into the water. 
 
Another reason for low magnesium would be that even though adequate magnesium may be taken in, it does not mean that our bodies absorbed and utilized the adequate amounts.  Many factors come into play here. For one, not having enough stomach acid prevents us from absorbing all that we ingest.  Low stomach acid may be the result of the aging process as well as taking antacid medications, consuming too much alcohol, being under too much stress, and other factors that would be good to discuss in another post. 
 
Diabetics in particular lose a lot of magnesium in the urine because of increased urine flow as the kidneys try to rid excess glucose from the blood.  And yet another route of magnesium loss or depletion is due to prescription medications such as diuretics, blood pressure pills, steroids, birth control pills, and certain diabetic medications.  All will rob the body of some magnesium.
 
How can magnesium help to regulate blood sugar?  Insulin is a hormone we produce that acts like an escort to blood sugar guiding it into our cells where the blood sugar is most needed.  Insulin requires magnesium.  In a magnesium depleted diet, insulin becomes less effective at its job.  Both insulin and magnesium are important for blood sugar regulation and they are dependent on each other.
 
Magnesium supplements come in many forms. The form most easily found on shelves is magnesium oxide.  This form is not very well absorbed into the cells so it makes a great laxative, but is not preferred as the best form for cell absorption.  Magnesium glycinate is one of my favorite forms and is one of the most absorbable forms.   This form is also good for sleep, so take it at bedtime.  Another good form is Magnesium Citrate.  This would be a good one for issues with kidney stones.  Always check with your doctor first if you are having trouble with kidney stones, however.
 
How much magnesium do you need to take?  For optimum health, the basic Optimum Daily Intake for magnesium is 500-750mg. for men and women, according to The Real Vitamin and Mineral Book, by Lieberman and Bruning.  Start slow and ramp up to reach this optimum intake.  If you get too much, you will know since you will have loose stools, then back down a bit.  I like to take magnesium at night as it has a muscle calming effect, but you can take divided doses at morning and night.  This way, it keeps a steady supply in your system. 
 
Another way to get more magnesium is through skin absorption.  You can add 2 cups Epsom salt to your bathwater or soak your feet in an Epsom salt foot bath.  Epsom salt is magnesium sulfate.   Still another way is to spray on magnesium oil after a bath.  Some people say they get a stinging feeling which stands to reason since it is a salt.  With time I have found that this goes away.  It feels much like a swim in the ocean and can be sticky feeling for a while, but give this a try since it really is a good way to get more magnesium.  You can purchase this or you can make your own.  There are many sources on the web explaining how to make this.
 
If you are a diabetic, it would be wise to check your blood sugar (glucose) levels while starting a magnesium supplement to see the effect magnesium may have, but first, It is always encouraged to tell your doctor when starting any new supplement, especially if you have kidney, liver, or heart disease, or you are on prescription medications since some supplements and pharmaceuticals might have a combined negative effect.
 
What is your call to action?  I would suggest keeping track of your blood glucose levels over time and also getting tested for intracellular magnesium.  If you are not in optimum range, than I would suggest finding ways to supplement with magnesium as I have mentioned in this post.  Then retest to see how you are doing.

Contact me for more information.  I'll be glad to order professional quality supplements for you, including magnesium.

8 Comments
best essay writer link
5/18/2018 10:54:10 pm

We all need to be familiar with the status of our blood sugar. May eldest sister dies because of debater and it was left unmonitored. We were all clueless about her situation because she kept it to us. That's why we always need to look after each other. Disease can actually take your loved ones away from you. All diseases are dangerous that's why we need to take our health seriously. Living a happy life is always possible especially if you are healthy.

Reply
https://fortnite-free.webnode.com/ link
12/14/2018 03:40:33 am

thanks a lot for sharing this wonderfull post

Reply
June dean
12/31/2018 10:07:38 am

Magnesium has been very beneficial to our family's health.

Reply
https://prowritingpartner.com/ link
3/17/2019 10:56:50 pm

Im so grateful for that experience and cant wait to take what I've learned and share it with you in your applications!

Reply
Roaming with Rhonda link
12/14/2020 01:46:29 am

Goodd read

Reply
Joy
5/19/2022 07:42:14 pm

What a detailed blogpost! I thank you for sharing this knowledge. I want to share a company who helps me with keeping my health in check. "Himalayan Rock Salts". https://himalayanrocksalts.com.au They have rock salt lamps that, in particular, makes me feel relaxed especially in meditation. Once again, thanks!

Reply
Best spray tan near me link
2/20/2023 11:43:54 pm

Bronzed By Julie is a professional mobile organic spray tanning, and teeth whitening service in New York City. Let us make you feel more confident and beautiful with our custom tans and brilliant teeth whitening options at your home, office, or at our studio.

Reply
Logo Clothes link
2/28/2023 03:25:26 am

Bulkworkwear Offers A Great Value, High Quality, Application Service of Your Company Logos, Graphics, Initials & Names to Your Garments. We offer - “no minimum purchase quantities”, with the added benefits of “the more you buy the more you save”. Bulkworkwear.co.uk offers a wide range of certified essential workwear intended to meet the demands of the modern working individual.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Picture
    Debbie Vail, NC
    ​Greetings from east central Alabama and welcome to my site.  I am a graduate of Hawthorn University, a leader in holistic education.  
    See more​ ​about me and my educational experience.
    Please see my resources page for your supplement needs 

    Enter your email address:

    Delivered by FeedBurner

    Categories

    All
    About Nutrition
    Baked Oatmeal
    Bpa
    Bvo
    Candy
    Coconut Lime Cooler
    Crackers
    Dessert
    Detox
    Eggs
    Exercise
    Fats
    Flame Retardant In Drinks
    Fluoride
    Garden
    Gm Foods
    Grain Free
    Green Drink
    Herbal Tea
    Juicing
    Lacto Ferm. Carrots
    Lacto-ferm. Pickles
    Lacto-ferm. Salsa
    Milk
    Msg
    Organic
    Pancakes
    Pet Food
    Quinoa
    Soda Alternatives
    Soup
    Sprouted Grain
    Squash Puppies
    Students Learn
    Sweetners
    Toxins
    Vitamin C
    Vitamin D
    Water Filter
    West Nile Virus
    Where Do I Start
    Whey

    Archives

    April 2021
    March 2017
    November 2015
    April 2014
    February 2014
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    November 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012

    Subscribe to Updates from Debbie Vail, NC
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.