Magnesium for diabetics.

Research on magnesium continues to support its broad health benefits through anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant mechanisms.  The new research that I would like to make people aware of is that magnesium seems to have a protective effect on the kidneys – especially in patients with diabetes.  It is well known that one of the long term complications of diabetes is kidney failure (chronic renal failure).  One study has shown that kidney failure in diabetics that were low on magnesium (hypomagnesemia) had a quicker decline of their kidney function compared to those that had normal levels of serum magnesium.  As magnesium is relatively inexpensive and available without a prescription, diabetics should consider magnesium supplementation as part of their diabetes management.