The Links Between Magnesium, Diabetes and Fibromyalgia

The Links

A paper published in Rheumatology International noted an association between diabetes and fibromyalgia. As a part of the study, researchers looked at two groups of patients. The fist contained 45 patients with type 1 diabetes and 55 patients with type 2 diabetes. The control group consisted of 50 hospital staff members. Seventeen of the patients with diabetes also had fibromyalgia, while only one person in the control group consisting of the hospital staff had fibromyalgia. This led the researchers to conclude that there was an association between the two disorders and to question whether patients with fibromyalgia may also benefit from controlling blood glucose levels.

Magnesium Deficiency - A Common Link?

One reason why fibromyalgia and diabetes may occur together is that they are both associated with magnesium deficiencies. Magnesium is an important cofactor for several enzymes that that are needed for in glucose metabolism. It is also needed to relax and release contracted muscles. As such, it is logical to consider that diabetes and fibromyalgia may occur together because both have a magnesium deficiency as a possible root cause.

Based on recent research, the American Diabetes Association notes that diets high in magnesium do lower diabetes risk. One landmark study on diabetes and magnesium was conducted by researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health and included over 42,000 men and 85,000 women. In this study the researchers found that people who had diets high in magnesium rich foods were the least likely to develop type 2 diabetes. In should be noted that most of the people in the Harvard study consumed magnesium through food. Less than 5 percent of the study participants took magnesium supplements.

Recommended Links:

The Role of Magnesium in Fibromyalgia - if you like the information in my web site, you'll like this page, too. Lots of good references and lots of logic on the role magnesium deficiencies may play in fibromyalgia.

Related sections of interest:

Magnesium - a deficiency of this important mineral can lead to many adverse health conditions.

Diabetic Frozen Shoulder - is magnesium deficiency a cause?

Fibromyalgia Diet - treatments I found helpful.