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Posted on Dec 27, 2003, 10 a.m.
By Bill Freeman
New research suggests that eating a diet containing plenty of magnesium rich foods, such as nuts, grains, and leafy green vegetables, may help to lower the risk of developing type II diabetes. Dr Ruy Lopez-Ridaura of Harvard School of Public Health and colleagues studied the dietary habits of 85,000 female nurses for 18 years and 42,000 male health professionals for 12 years.
New research suggests that eating a diet containing plenty of magnesium rich foods, such as nuts, grains, and leafy green vegetables, may help to lower the risk of developing type II diabetes. Dr Ruy Lopez-Ridaura of Harvard School of Public Health and colleagues studied the dietary habits of 85,000 female nurses for 18 years and 42,000 male health professionals for 12 years. Results showed that men and women who consumed the most magnesium were the least likely to develop type II diabetes. The apparent benefits of eating a magnesium-rich diet remained even after the researchers took into account diabetes risk factors such as age, family history, and physical activity. BMI did effect risk reduction, although the risk reduction among those who consumed high levels of magnesium but had an unfavorable BMI was still statistically significant. Results of another study published in the same edition of Diabetes Care produced similar results. Dr Yiqing Song and colleagues at Harvard Medical School and Harvard School of Public Health followed more than 39,000 women for 6 years. Results showed that women who consumed the most magnesium were less likely to develop type II diabetes, however their study found that magnesium was of most benefit to women with a BMI of 25 or more, that is women who are overweight or obese.
SOURCE/REFERENCE: Diabetes Care 2004;27:134-140.
