Magnesium Improves Metabolic Markers

Magnesium is a mineral with a major role in the metabolism of glucose, the production of cellular energy, and the manufacture of protein. A research team led by Yanni Papanikolaou (France), and colleagues assessed data collected on subjects, ages 20 years and older, enrolled in the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), 2001-2010.  The team determined magnesium intake from foods alone, and from foods plus dietary supplements using the methods from the National Cancer Institute. Adults with adequate intake of magnesium from food had significantly different HOMA-IR – a measure of insulin resistance, systolic blood pressure, and HDL-cholesterol, as compared to subjects with inadequate intake of magnesium from food. Adequate intake of magnesium from food plus dietary supplement had significant differences in waist circumference, systolic blood pressure, and HDL (high-density lipoprotein) cholesterol.  The team observed that a higher dietary intake of magnesium from all sources associated with “significantly reduced odds ratios for elevated glycohemoglobin, metabolic syndrome, obesity, overweight or obesity, elevated waist circumference, elevated systolic blood pressure, reduced HDL and elevated C-reactive protein. The study authors submit that: “there is a beneficial relationship between dietary magnesium intake and diabetes-related physiological outcomes.”