Magnesium and Diabetic Neuropathy

 

                                                       

If diabetes has no cure,

if its like a wind that never ends,

at least we can slow that
 wind down and even make it stop.

 

     Diabetic neuropathy is a nerve disorder caused by diabetes. Diabetic neuropathy is probably the most common complication of diabetes. Studies suggest that up to 50% of people with diabetes are affected to some degree. Major risk factors of this condition are the level and duration of elevated blood glucose. Neuropathy can lead to sensory loss and damage to the limbs. It is also a major cause of impotence in diabetic men.[i] The two main classifications of neuropathy are peripheral neuropathy, affecting the extremities, arms, legs, hands and feet, and autonomic neuropathy, affecting the organ systems, mainly affecting the nerves of the digestive, cardiovascular systems, urinary tract and sexual organs.  Autonomic neuropathies are believed to be implicated in “silent heart attacks” of diabetes, where the full symptoms of myocardial infarction are not felt by the person. In reality diabetic neuropathy can affect virtually every part of the body.

 

      Symptoms of neuropathy include numbness and sometimes pain in the hands, feet, or legs. Nerve damage caused by diabetes can also lead to problems with internal organs such as the digestive tract, heart, and sexual organs, causing indigestion, diarrhea or constipation, dizziness, bladder infections, and impotence. In some cases, neuropathy can flare up suddenly, causing weakness and weight loss. Neuropathy may cause both pain and insensitivity to pain in the same person. Often, symptoms are slight at first, and since most nerve damage occurs over a period of years, mild cases may go unnoticed for a long time. In some people, mainly those afflicted by focal neuropathy, the onset of pain may be sudden and severe.  

 

     Scientists do not know what causes diabetic neuropathy, but several factors are likely to contribute to the disorder. High blood glucose, a condition associated with diabetes, causes chemical changes in nerves. These changes impair the nerves' ability to transmit signals. High blood glucose also damages blood vessels that carry oxygen and nutrients to the nerves. Keeping blood sugar levels as close to the normal range as possible slows the onset and progression of nerve disease caused by diabetes.[ii]

 

It is possible to reduce amputation
 rates by between 49% and 85%.[iii]

 

     Recently, researchers have focused on the effects of excessive glucose metabolism on the amount of nitric oxide in nerves. Nitric oxide dilates blood vessels. In a person with diabetes, low levels of nitric oxide may lead to constriction of blood vessels supplying the nerve, contributing to nerve damage. Scientists also know that high glucose levels affect many metabolic pathways in the nerves.

 

     From 1993 to 1995, about 67,000 amputations were performed each  year among people with diabetes. In 2002, about 82,000 non-traumatic lower-limb amputations were performed in people with diabetes.[iv] The direct cost of an amputation associated with diabetes is estimated to be between US$30,000 and US$60,000. The estimated cost for three years of subsequent care ranges from US$43,000 to US$63,000 – mainly due to the increased need for home care and social services.

 

It has been forced upon me that diabetic
 gangrene is not heaven sent, but earth born.
                                                                E.P. Joslin, 1934

 

     Early in the last century, soon after the discovery of insulin, Joslin made the important observation noted above: he stated that it was not inevitable that a certain proportion of the diabetic population would develop foot ulceration or gangrene. He concluded that it was something to do with the way that we as health care professionals look after our patients, or the way that patients look after themselves, which results in conditions collectively referred to as ‘the diabetic foot.’[v]

 

      The medical establishment likes to think that great steps have been taken in diabetes management but in the area of the diabetic foot little impact has been made in the depressing statistics for rates of amputations and foot ulcers. Foot ulcers develop in approximately 15 percent of patients with diabetes, and foot disorders are a leading cause of hospitalization among such patients. Eighty-five percent of lower-limb amputations in patients with diabetes are preceded by foot ulceration, suggesting that prevention and appropriate management of foot lesions are of paramount importance.[vi]

 

 

 

   diabetic foot ulcer - heel

 

     Ulceration is caused by several factors acting together, but particularly by neuropathy.

 

              

 

     

     It is very painful to look at these pictures and imagine ourselves or a loved one with foot ulcers, gangrene, and eventual foot amputation. One can and should get indignant knowing that just a little bit of applied medical intelligence could avoid much of this. Magnesium is known to be necessary for nerve conduction; deficiency is known to cause peripheral neuropathy symptoms. Studies suggest that a deficiency in magnesium may worsen blood glucose control in type 2 diabetes. Scientists believe that a deficiency of magnesium interrupts insulin secretion in the pancreas and increases insulin resistance in the body's tissues. Evidence also suggests that a deficiency of magnesium may contribute to certain diabetes complications. A recent analysis showed that people with higher dietary intakes of magnesium (through consumption of whole grains, nuts, and green leafy vegetables) had a decreased risk of type 2 diabetes.[vii]

 

    And abstract from Disorders of Magnesium Metabolism[viii] concludes, “Magnesium depletion is more common than previously thought. It seems to be especially prevalent in patients with diabetes mellitus. It is usually caused by losses from the kidney or gastrointestinal tract. A patient with magnesium depletion may present with neuromuscular symptoms, hypokalemia, hypocalcemia, or cardiovascular complication. Physicians should maintain a high index of suspicion for magnesium depletion in patients at high risk and should implement therapy early.”

 

     Diabetic neuropathy and other complications are most likely to be worse as a result of concurrent Mg deficiency.  Magnesium is known to be deficient in over 68% of the US population, and more so in diabetics who waste magnesium more than others when blood sugars are out of control. Up to 80% of type 2 diabetics have a magnesium deficiency.[ix] Children labeled "pre diabetic" are in great need of magnesium, which has been linked to preventing the development of type 2 diabetes.[x]  In a series of papers, L. M. Resnick, MD has shown in the test tube that an increase in glucose in the fluid leads to the release and/or displacement, of Mg from the RBCs, thus in the body hyperglycemia, high blood sugar, will cause a total body Mg deficiency. In: “Diabetologia” 36(8):767-70, 1993 this author has demonstrated has shown in the test tube that an increase in glucose in the fluid leads to the release and displacement of Mg from the RBCs.  Thus in the body, hyperglycemia, (high blood sugar), will cause a total body Mg deficiency.

 

     Thus we can expect to find that magnesium can be used to treat both diabetes and the complications that come from it including severe peripheral neuropathy. Dr. S. E. Browne makes a strong case for intravenous magnesium treatment of arterial disease and has used magnesium sulphate in his general practice for over three decades. “Magnesium sulphate (MgSO4) in a 50% solution was injected initially intramuscularly and later intravenously into patients with peripheral vascular disease (including gangrene, claudication, leg ulcers and thrombophlebitis), angina, acute myocardial infarction (AMI), non-haemorrhagic cerebral vascular disease and congestive cardiac failure. A powerful vasodilator effect with marked flushing was noted after intravenous (IV) injection of 4-12 mmol of magnesium (Mg) and excellent therapeutic results were noted in all forms of arterial disease.”[xi]

 

     Dr. Herbert Mansmann Jr., Director of the Magenesium Research Lab,[xii]  who is a diabetic with congenital magnesium deficiency and severe peripheral neuropathy, shares that he was able to reverse the neuropathy and nerve degeneration with a year of using oral magnesium preparations at very high doses. “For example it took me 6 tabs of each of the following every 4 hours, Maginex, MgOxide, Mag-Tab SR and Magonate to get in positive Mg balance. I tell people this not to scare them, but to illustrate how much I needed to saturate myself. Most will only need 10% of this amount. I was doing an experiment on myself to see if it helped my diabetic neuropathy. It worked so I did it for one year, and I have had significant nerve regeneration. I could never have been able to do this with MgSO4 baths (Epsom Salt), since I could not get into and out of a bath tub” [xiii]

 

 “I was saturated at about 3 grams of elemental Mg per day, but went to 20 grams for over a year. I now take 5 grams, and stools are semi-formed, and the surrounding water is clear, 3-4 per day.”  “Mg is very safe, since the gut absorption is regulated by serum Mg levels, and then the Mg stays in the gut and results in varying degrees of diarrhea. Then the dose is too high. Want soft semi-formed stools. Mine, while on high dosages of magnesium were liquid every 2-4 hours for 2 years, the electrolytes every month were normal, but for low potassium, part of my urinary Mg wasting, both”   It’s important to take into consideration that when taking 36 magnesium tablets, every 4 hours (6each of six different types) it pays to be a doctor, and a researcher to have available all the frequent lab testing at your fingertips, and the money to have them done, to ensure safety.  Most of us do not have this luxury, though testing is available if we knock on our doctors doors and expensive at that.

 

    Dr. Mansmann concludes, “I have had diabetic neuropathy (DN) for over 10 years. The most significant symptom is my neuropathic pain of burning feet, called erythromelalgia (EM). With the aid of Mg I can completely suppress the symptom, but if my blood glucose level is acutely elevated, because of a dietary indiscretion, the pain flares in spite of an apparent adequate dose of Mg. It goes away with extra Mg gluconate (Magonate) in an hour or so in either case. Without the Mg it will last for six plus hours, even though the blood glucose level is normal in about two hours.” “It is my belief that every one with diabetes should be taking Mg supplementation to the point of one’s Maximum Tolerated Dose, which is until one has soft-semi, formed stools. In addition, anyone with neuropathy, without a known cause, must be adequately evaluated for diabetes, and especially those with poorly, slowly, healing foot sores of any kind. Since the use of Mg is safe I see no reason that this should not be “the standard of care”.[xiv]

 

    “The current “party line” on this subject is not universally accepted, but many of us believe the establishment is too conservative and will some day change. While admitting its importance, for some unknown reason they remain reluctant to recommend magnesium supplements. They just do not know how poor the American diet is in Mg and the frequency of magnesium deficiency” says Dr. Mansmann.[xv]

 

    It would be prudent for physicians who treat diabetic patients to consider magnesium deficiency as a contributing factor in many diabetic complications and in exacerbation of the disease itself. Repletion of the deficiency with transdermal magnesium chloride mineral therapy is the ideal way of administering magnesium in medically therapeutic doses. Such treatments will, in all likelihood, help avoid or ameliorate such complications as diabetic peripheral neuropathy, arrhythmias, hypertension, and sudden cardiac death and may even improve the course of the diabetic condition in general.

 

Special Note: While Dr. Mansmann makes a strong case for hi doses of magnesium, it cannot be ignored that GLA has also been recognized for it's ability to stop and/or reverse peripheral neuropathy and is endorsed by Dr. Atkins, of the famous Atkins diet, which many diabetics follow. Dr. Atkins says, “Science has established rather conclusively that GLA halts the otherwise inevitable advance of nerve damage caused by diabetes. GLA helps the nerves to heal. As one study of 111 patients showed, people with either form of diabetes, Type I or Type II, can benefit, using a dose as small as 480 mg of GLA per day.[xvi] Other research suggests that the fatty acid may even prevent the nerve deterioration from starting up.[xvii] Some kind of abnormality in fatty acid metabolism is very likely involved in the development of diabetic complications and maybe even the development of diabetes itself. People who have the disease seem unable to make GLA from dietary fats and therefore may suffer from an insufficiency of PGE₁, (Prostaglandin E₁, a beneficial hormone-like compound). Coincidentally enough, this substance can potentiate the work of insulin and exerts insulin like actions of its own. Therefore diabetics need all the PGE₁ that GLA can help them make.”

 

     In later chapters we present spirulina as another basic natural medicine ideal for diabetics and all people. Spirulina is very high in both magnesium and GLA.

 

---

[i] WHO, 2002;  http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs138/en/print.html

[ii] A 10-year clinical study that involved 1,441 volunteers with insulin-dependent diabetes (IDDM) was recently completed by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. The study proved that keeping blood sugar levels as close to the normal range as possible slows the onset and progression of nerve disease caused by diabetes. The Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT) studied two groups of volunteers: those who followed a standard diabetes management routine and those who intensively managed their diabetes. Persons in the intensive management group took multiple injections of insulin daily or used an insulin pump and monitored their blood glucose at least four times a day to try to lower their blood glucose levels to the normal range. After 5 years, tests of neurological function showed that the risk of nerve damage was reduced by 60 percent in the intensively managed group. People in the standard treatment group, whose average blood glucose levels were higher, had higher rates of neuropathy. Although the DCCT included only patients with IDDM, researchers believe that people with noninsulin-dependent diabetes would also benefit from maintaining lower levels of blood glucose.

[iii] 2005 Survey Results Fact Sheet; http://www.diabetesincontrol.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=3253

[iv] http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/statistics/index.htm#11

[v] Joslin EP. The menace of diabetic gangrene. N Engl J Med 1934; 211: 16–20

[vi] Andrew J.M. Boulton. Professor of Medicine, University of Manchester, and Department of Medicine, Manchester Royal Infirmary, Manchester, UK   www.d4pro.com/idm/ site/leading_article5.htm 

[vii] http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/alternativetherapies/

[viii] Endocrinology & Metabolism Clinics of North America. 24(3):623-41, 1995 Sep.

[ix] . Carper, J. Mighty Magnesium. USA Weekend. 2002 Aug 30-Sept 1.

[x]Magnesium Deficiency Linked to Type 2 Diabetes  http://www.newstarget.com/006121.html

Studies conducted at Harvard University indicate that people who have high levels of magnesium in their blood are less likely to develop type 2 diabetes or insulin resistance than those with lower levels. Studies in Mexico have also found an alleviation of diabetes symptoms in patients who took dietary supplements containing magnesium. Original Source: http://www.health24.com/dietnfood/General/15-742-775,31268.asp

[xi] S. E. BROWNE. The Case for Intravenous Magnesium Treatment of Arterial Disease in General Practice. Journal of Nutritional Medicine (1994) 4, 169-177

[xii] Herbert C. Mansmann Jr. MD. Honorary Professor of Pediatrics. P.O. Box 791, Rangeley, ME 04970 Associate Professor of Medicine (1968-03) Director of the Magnesium Research. Laboratory (1989-03) Thomas Jefferson University http://www.magnesiumresearchlab.com   

[xiii] http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/MagnesiumResearchLab/message/2863

[xiv] http://magnesiumresearchlab.com/Diabetes-and-Mg-5-11-04.htm

 [xv] http://magnesiumresearchlab.com/Diabetes-and-Mg-5-11-04.htm

[xvi] Keen, H., et al., Diabetes Care, 1993; 16: 8-15.

[xvii] Jamal, G., Diabetic Medicine, 1994; 11(2): 145-49.  http://www.diabeteslibrary.org/news/news_item.cfm?NewsID=241

 

 

Mark Sircus Ac., OMD
Director International Medical Veritas Association
http://www.MagnesiumForLife.com
http://www.imva.info
http://www.detoxchelationclinic.com
http://www.worldpsychology.net
+55-83-3252-2195
www.skype.com ID: marksircus

 

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: The communication in this email is intended for informational purposes only. Nothing in this email is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice.