Mineral found to slash risk of diabetes
Studies have found that adequate amounts of magnesium could reduce the risk of type II diabetes by up to a third. Why is diabetes so bad? Because it leads to heart attack and stroke. blindness, nerve damage (i.e., neuropathy), kidney failure (leading to dialysis), and gum disease (leading to loss of teeth), just to name a few.
Magnesium increases sensitivity (responsiveness) to insulin. Insufficient intake of magnesium can cause resistance (lack of responsiveness) to insulin, triggering the onset of diabetes. The Recommended Daily Allowance for magnesium in 320 milligrams for women and 420 mg for men. Most Americans consume 100 milligrams below these recommended levels. To make the problem even worse, many medications can cause the body to lose magnesium.
The best source of magnesium is food, not pills. Foods high in magnesium are green-leafy vegetables, whole grains, beans, and nuts and seeds (especially pumpkin seeds).