Magnesium review found lower fasting glucose but little change in another blood sugar measure
In people with type 2 diabetes, pooled magnesium trials found lower fasting blood glucose, while glycated haemoglobin, another blood sugar measure, changed little. The abstract omits units for these effects.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
Across trials in people with type 2 diabetes, magnesium supplementation lowered fasting blood sugar, but the change in glycated haemoglobin was minimal. The abstract does not give measurement units, treatment lengths, or control details, so the results cannot show the practical size of the change or identify a suitable supplementation approach.
The reported glucose differences lack units, and control conditions and treatment durations are unspecified. The glycated haemoglobin confidence interval reaches zero, leaving uncertainty about whether that measure changed.
Different measurements gave different results
Blood magnesium levels increased, but that is a separate measurement from blood sugar control. The glucose findings also differed by endpoint: fasting glucose fell, while the reported change in glycated haemoglobin was described as minimal.
Subgroup findings need context
The subgroup analysis reported larger changes in glycated haemoglobin among participants aged 65 or older and with longer supplementation. These subgroup patterns do not establish that a particular dose or duration is best for every person with diabetes.
The original publication
Effect of Magnesium Supplements on Improving Glucose Control, Blood Pressure and Lipid Profile in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Maqrashi NA, Busaidi SA, Al-Rasbi S et al.
Sultan Qaboos Univ Med J · 2025
- PubMed ID
- 40641714
- Record checked
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