Increased consumption of magnesium associates with decreased metabolic markers of insulin resistance, among men and women with Metabolic Syndrome.

Metabolic Syndrome is a condition characterized by central obesity, hypertension, and adverse glucose and insulin metabolism, that may progress to type-2 diabetes. Previous research suggests a correlation between dietary magnesium and insulin resistance, though most Americans fail to achieve the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) for the mineral.  Yunsheng Ma, from the Medical School of Yangzhou University (China), and colleagues enrolled 234 men and women with Metabolic Syndrome, in a dietary intervention study. The team assessed magnesium via questionnaires at the study's start, and at six and 12 months. Fasting glucose and insulin levels were collected at the three time points, and insulin resistance was calculated by a standard assessment. The data revealed that dietary magnesium intake was inversely as statistically significantly associated with metabolic markers of insulin resistance. For those subjects who met the RDA for magnesium however, the risk of having elevated markers was decreased by 63%. The study authors conclude that: “These findings indicate that dietary magnesium intake is inadequate among non-diabetic individuals with [Metabolic Syndrome] and suggest that increasing dietary magnesium to meet the RDA has a protective effect on insulin resistance.”

Wang J, Persuitte G, Olendzki BC, Wedick NM, Zhang Z, Merriam PA, Fang H, Carmody J, Olendzki GF, Ma Y.  "Dietary magnesium intake improves insulin resistance among non-diabetic individuals with metabolic syndrome participating in a dietary trial.”  Nutrients. 2013 Sep 27;5(10):3910-9.