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More magnesium magic!

Last time I wrote about how magnesium relaxes your muscles and blocks pain signals. I want to point out again that magnesium is a marvelous mineral which has over 300 functions in your body.

Now let’s talk about reversing insulin resistance.

It all starts when blood sugar (glucose) levels rise after a meal. You need the insulin to move the glucose from the blood and transport it inside the cells.

When glucose is consistently elevated it causes excess insulin secretion, also known as hyperinsulinemia. Chronically elevated insulin causes insulin receptors on your cells to eventually stop responding to insulin.

Even though your pancreas secretes more and more insulin, the insulin receptors on your cells do not respond. The result is an increase in blood glucose levels that can lead to diabetes and its related diseases.

Scientists have discovered very specific details of magnesium’s relationship to diabetes. Their research has revealed that insulin receptors depend on magnesium to function properly and respond to insulin. In addition, they have discovered that high levels of insulin also cause an increase in the amount of urinary magnesium excreted from the kidneys, thereby reducing the body’s levels of this important mineral. It’s a brutal cycle that deprives you of a mineral which helps keep your heart beating, among other functions.

The good news is that you can take a magnesium supplement which will help insulin do its job properly by improving your cells’ insulin sensitivity. Combine this with lifestyle adjustments which reduce the presence of insulin in your body and you’ve just reversed symptoms of insulin resistance.

Next time we’ll focus on how magnesium helps you get a good night’s sleep.

If you have questions about nutritional supplements or how you can recapture great health, speak to the Live Well Team at Pharmasave Summerland.

Dan Cassidy, Nutritional Product Advisor (Reg.)