Low magnesium levels are associated with a higher risk of diabetes, and supplementation with magnesium has been shown to reduce blood glucose and improve insulin sensitivity,[1][2][3] especially in people who are insulin resistant and/or magnesium deficient[4][5][6][7] and/or in women with gestational diabetes.[3][8]
Supplemental magnesium also appears to lower blood pressure in people who are deficient in magnesium[9][10] and in those who have elevated blood pressure (hypertension).[11][12][13] The average reduction in blood pressure after magnesium supplementation is 2–4 mmHg for systolic blood pressure and 2 mmHg for diastolic blood pressure,[14][15] though the reductions may be greater for individuals with type 2 diabetes (6–8 mmHg and 2–3 mmHg for systolic and diastolic blood pressure, respectively).[16][17]
There is some indication that magnesium supplementation may reduce the frequency and intensity of migraine headache[18][19][20] and attenuate premenstrual symptoms in women.[21][22][23]