Supplemental Magnesium, Chromium Reduce Chances of Developing Type 2 Diabetes

Article by Arnie Gitomer

Two studies show a connection between the levels of two nutrients–magnesium and chromium–with the potential for type-2 diabetes.

First, looking at magnesium, doctors reviewed 19 studies covering 539,735 participants, some of whom developed type 2 diabetes over the various study time periods. Participants answered a food-frequency questionnaire to help determine the level of magnesium in the diet. Overall, compared to those who got the least magnesium, those who got the most magnesium from diet and supplements were 23 percent less likely to have developed type 2 diabetes over the several study time periods.

Doctors also found a direct link: each 100 mg-per-day increase in magnesium led to a 16 percent decrease in chances of developing type 2 diabetes. Discussing the findings, doctors said when magnesium levels are low, special insulin-producing cells in the pancreas don't function properly, and that earlier studies had found magnesium improves insulin sensitivity and blood sugar levels in both diabetics and non-diabetics. Ensuring a good level of magnesium in the diet may help prevent type 2 diabetes.

(Reference: Journal of Nutrition; October, 2015, Published Online)

A smiliar inverse relationship was found with chromium supplements. Doctors analyzed a group of 28,539 adults to determine who took chromium supplements. Over half regularly took supplements of any kind, and 29 percent took supplements that included chromium.

When doctors compared chromium users to those who did not take chromium, they found that those who took chromium supplements were 27 percent less likely to have developed type 2 diabetes over the 12-year study period. There was no change in chances for developing type 2 diabetes with supplements that did not contain chromium. Doctors said chromium helps metabolize carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, and enhances the action of insulin.

(Reference: Journal of Nutrition; October, 2015, Published Online)

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Additional comments by Don Goldberg

Many people (and many doctors) make the mistake of taking a “calcium supplement” to prevent osteoporosis. They to to the store and buy a supplement that contains only calcium, or perhsps calcium with vitamin D. This is a mistake. Magnesium, and the trace minerals, are equally important for bone health and, as you can tell from the above study, many other health conditions as well.

In the past, it was customary to utilize a 2:1 ration of calcium to magnesium in supplements. In other words, there might be 800 mg of calcium and 400 mg of magnesium. This has changed, and the amount of magnesium is now higher. When Willner Chemists revised the formula for Willvite, for example, four tablets now provide 600 mg of magnesium and 800 mg of calcium. Willvite, by the way, also contains 100 mcg of chromium.