Dietary Magnesium Reduces Chance of Disease

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Magnesium intake and incidence of metabolic syndrome among young adults, by K. He and colleagues. Circ 113:1675-1682, 2006.

What is the problem and what is known about it so far?

Some research suggests that dietary magnesium may lower the chances of a person getting high blood pressure, diabetes, and high levels of fats and cholesterol in the blood. But little is known about the long-term link between magnesium and metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of symptoms including a large waist size, high blood pressure, an inability of the body to handle glucose, and high levels of fats in the blood.

Why did the researchers do this particular study?

The researchers wanted to study the long-term effects of dietary magnesium on metabolic syndrome.

Who was studied?

The study included 4,637 young adults (18 to 30 years old) who enrolled in the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study.

How was the study done?

Participants completed a detailed questionnaire about their health and diet. They had a physical exam, which included measuring their height and weight so researchers could calculate body mass index (BMI, a way of measuring weight compared to height). They also had blood drawn for lab tests. Participants were followed up for 15 years.

What did the researchers find?

The more magnesium a person consumed, the less likely he or she was to get metabolic syndrome. Those who had the most magnesium in their diet were about 31% less likely to have metabolic syndrome than the participants who had the least amount of magnesium in their diet.

What were the limitations of the study?

Amounts of dietary magnesium are based on what the participants reported, which may not be complete or accurate.

What are the implications of the study?

Young adults with high magnesium intake are less likely to get metabolic syndrome. More research is needed to determine the most healthful level of dietary magnesium.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Is the Metabolic Syndrome Really a Syndrome?

Magnesium: What Is It?

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