Does magnesium reduce mortality risk? Original paper
This Study Summary was published on May 4, 2021.
Background
The study
This dose-response meta-analysis assessed the association between dietary, supplemental, and total magnesium intake with all-cause, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and cancer mortality rates. In total, 19 studies assessing 1,168,756 people were included, with follow-up periods of 4.7–26 years.
The results
Comparing the highest to lowest intakes, dietary magnesium intake, but not supplemental or total magnesium intake, was associated with reduced risks of all-cause and cancer mortality. Supplemental magnesium intake was nonsignificantly associated with an increased risk for cancer mortality. There were no associations between dietary, supplemental, or total magnesium intake and CVD mortality.
The dose-response analysis found that each additional intake of 100 mg/day of dietary magnesium was associated with a 6% reduced risk of all-cause mortality and a 5% reduced risk of cancer mortality.
Note
Because the included studies were prospective cohort studies (as opposed to randomized controlled trials), it's unclear whether dietary magnesium reduced mortality in and of it of itself. Foods that are high in magnesium (whole grains, green vegetables, nuts, and beans) contain other beneficial dietary components that might improve longevity.
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This Study Summary was published on May 4, 2021.
References
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