Magnesium is an essential cation involved in many enzymatic reactions as a cofactor for adenosine triphosphatases. Several studies have documented its role in the insulin action and secretion and the effects of this hormone on magnesium metabolism and transport. These results, however, are unclear. Magnesium deficiency could be one of the causes of insulin resistance in diabetes mellitus or, inversely, could be one of the consequences of it. Moreover, an increased glucose disposal is suggested. The interaction between magnesium and other ions, the hormonal and neurohormonal compensating mechanisms and probably the duration of the deficiency are some factors responsible for the changings in glucose homeostasis during the magnesium deficiency.
magnesium; magnesium deficiency; insulin; glucose; secretion; metabolism