Magnesium Treatment of Inflammation in Disorders of Glucose Homeostasis

In most diabetic patients where low blood magnesium levels occur the important depletion of cellular levels is usually not measured. This study will measure both blood and oral mucosal cell magnesium levels before and after 3 months of supplementation with magnesium tablets (the recommended dietary amount of 336 milligrams per day). These magnesium levels will be correlated with blood levels of indicators of inflammation (eg C reactive protein) to see whether the cellular levels are more reliable than blood levels of magnesium for appropriate treatment of magnesium deficiency in diabetic patients.