[The role of magnesium in glucose homeostasis: therapeutic implications]

The authors examined the literature on the close relationship of magnesium to carbohydrate metabolism. It was found that a diabetic condition is apt to bring about marked changes in body magnesium content and its compartmental distribution, and that the administration of dietary magnesium supplements can have a favorable influence on metabolic control, thus reducing insulin requirement and counteracting the progression of late diabetic complications.