This is an extract from Ruth Trickey’s book “Women, Hormones and the Menstrual Cycle”:
Magnesium deficiency in the general population results in increased insulin resistance, as well as increased smooth muscle and platelet reactivity,
and is seen in association with both cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus. Women with PCOS have been found to have significantly lower serum and total magnesium compared with the controls, and this may contribute to the progression from insulin resistance to type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
The plasma magnesium level has been shown to be inversely related to insulin sensitivity. Population studies have confirmed that a high daily magnesium intake is associated with a lower incidence of type 2 diabetes, while individuals with low serum magnesium have a higher incidence. Moreover, magnesium deficiency can occur amongst diabetics despite adequate dietary intake, because urinary excretion is increased in the presence of elevated insulin and glycosuria.
Daily magnesium supplements improve insulin-mediated glucose uptake and insulin secretion in patients who have established type 2 diabetes – both important for women with PCOS. Amongst patients with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes, magnesium supplementation reduces the risk of developing further problems such as retinopathy and hypertension.”
Magnesium also appears to increase insulin production in older people as well as protecting them from eye damage associated with high blood sugar levels.
The Alpha Lipoic Acid Breakthrough, by Dr Burt Berkson p 116
My PCOS Info 