Supplements
Magnesium Citrate: The Best Form of Magnesium for Diabetes
Aug 22, 2017Magnesium is a mineral that the body needs in abundant quantities. Hypomagnesaemia (a deficiency of magnesium) is frequently seen in patients with diabetes, and magnesium supplementation can help them. However, there are different types of magnesium supplementation. Let’s find out why magnesium citrate is the best for diabetes.
How Are Magnesium And Diabetes Related?
Magnesium aids in the transport of glucose across the cell membrane, thereby helping to reduce insulin resistance. It is also an integral part of the insulin secretion and binding processes. Diabetics discard a lot more magnesium from their bodies, as opposed to healthy individuals. This is because high blood sugar levels make them urinate more frequently.
How Do I Choose My Magnesium Supplement?
Magnesium supplements have different properties based primarily on two things, namely, the substance used to stabilize the magnesium ions, and the size of the ions. The effect of each type of magnesium compound depends on how well it is absorbed by the body and its side effects. Small, pico-ionic sized particles are easily absorbed at cellular level. Some types of magnesium that are available as supplements are:
- Magnesium hydroxide – It is not absorbed easily, but is quite effective as a laxative.
- Magnesium sulphate – It is hard to ingest as it acts like a strong laxative, but is absorbed well by the skin. It is commonly known as Epsom salt.
- Magnesium malate – It is effective in treating the symptoms of fibromyalgia.
- Magnesium citrate – It is absorbed quickly by cells and is, sometimes, used as a laxative.
Why is Magnesium Citrate So Popular?
Magnesium citrate is a combination of magnesium and citric acid. It is available over-the-counter and is absorbed better than most of the other magnesium compounds. It has a mild laxative effect, but is considered to be safe without any known side effects.
What Dosage Should I take?
This question is best answered by your doctor. A rough guideline for your Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) is provided by the National Institutes of Health.
- Men above the age of 18 can safely consume 400 mg of magnesium citrate per day, and women over 18 can consume 310 mg per day.
- Men above the age of 18 can safely consume 400 mg of magnesium citrate per day, and women over 18 can consume 310 mg per day.
- For pregnant mothers, the RDA is 350 mg per day.
- For lactating women, reducing the dosage to 310 mg per day would be a safer option.
These dosages can increase or decrease based on your age and the extent to which you might be deficient.
What Precautions Do I Need to Take?
Too much magnesium can be toxic and could lead to a condition known as hypermagnesemia. The symptoms of this illness are low blood pressure, nausea, vomiting, facial flushing, retention of urine, depression and lethargy.
Magnesium is contraindicated in individuals with kidney problems as the kidneys flush excess magnesium out of your body. This mineral also interacts with a number of medications such as bisphosphonates, antibiotics, diuretics and proton pump inhibitors.
Mahesh is a hormone health counsellor & holistic health expert. He has a Mastery Certification in Functional Blood Chemistry Analysis from the US, is certified in Functional Nutrition from Washington State University and uses a wide array of healing modalities to guide his clients to vibrant health and well-being.
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References:
http://www.umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/supplement/magnesium https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4549665/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22695027 https://ods.od.nih.gov/FactSheets/magnesium/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4219896/
