Magnesium deficiency and diabetes mellitus

Magnesium, the second most common intracellular cation plays a fundamental role as a cofactor in various enzymatic reactions involving energy metabolism. Magnesium is a cofactor in the glucose-transporting mechanism of the cell membrane and various enzymes in carbohydrate oxidation. It is also involved at multiple levels in insulin secretion, binding and activity. The almost universal involvement of magnesium in a wide variety of cellular processes critical to glucose metabolism, insulin action and cardiovascular functions has been well appreciated. The incidence of subclinical magnesium deficiency is common in diabetes and cardiovascular disorders. However, limited attention has been drawn to the impact of magnesium deficiency on late diabetic complications, including cardiovascular disorders. Magnesium deficiency has recently been related with age-related diseases through free-radical mechanism. The existence of oxidative stress has been well documented in diabetes and late diabetic complications. The present review discusses the functional role of magnesium in the pathogenesis of diabetes and introduces a relatively new concept on the implication of magnesium deficiency in diabetic complications.