By Dr. Carolyn Dean, MD, ND

"Magnesium plays a pivotal role in the secretion and function of insulin; without it, diabetes is inevitable. Measurable magnesium deficiency is common in diabetes and in many of its complications, including heart disease, eye damage, high blood pressure, and obesity. When the treatment of diabetes includes magnesium, these problems are prevented or minimized."

"The proper diet for the prevention and treatment of diabetes includes frequent small meals of protein (fish—especially wild salmon, to avoid mercury—and free-range chicken and meat) and complex carbohydrates (whole grains, legumes, and vegetables), as well as the avoidance of simple sugars and white flour.

"Stevia, from the leaves of a plant that grows in South America, is the best sweetener to use. You can find it in health food stores. Don’t use the sugar substitute aspartame, which can worsen blood sugar control and cause weight gain, headaches, nerve damage, and eye damage, because it is made partly from wood alcohol, which breaks down into formaldehyde.

"Fiber from oat bran, flaxseed, and apples has a positive effect on keeping blood sugar balanced along with Magnesium which helps the body digest, absorb, and utilize proteins, fats, and carbohydrates.

"Additionally, the connection between stress, obesity and diabetes cannot be overlooked. The stress chemical cortisol signals a metabolic shutdown that makes losing weight almost impossible. Magnesium can neutralize the effects of stress and is known as the anti-stress mineral."

For more information about diets and weight loss, in a recent series of 16 videos - Dr. Dean briefly reviews 16 popular diets including the "Hallelujah Diet", the "South Beach Diet Supercharged", the "Perricone Diet", a "Vegetarian Diet", the "Paleo Diet", a "Macrobiotic Diet", a "Raw Food Diet", the "Water Diet", the "Eat-Clean Diet", the "Flat Belly Diet", the "Carb Lovers Diet", the "17 Day Diet", the "Sugar Busters Diet", the "Spectrum Diet" and the "Zone Diet". See these reviews here: http://www.howcast.com/videos/464588-About-the-Expert-Carolyn-Dean