Compiled by Emili
Insufficient magnesium intake may negatively impact cardiovascular health, according to a recent review published in Nutrients. The review highlights the mineral’s importance for various bodily functions, including nerve and muscle function and bone development, and its connection to cardiovascular health.
The review suggests that inadequate magnesium levels can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, based on multiple studies. It also explores potential mechanisms involved and emphasizes that many people do not consume enough magnesium in their diets.
Dr. Patrick Kee, a cardiologist not involved in the review, explained that magnesium deficiency can manifest in two ways: hypomagnesemia and chronic latent magnesium deficiency. Hypomagnesemia is diagnosed by low serum magnesium levels, while chronic latent magnesium deficiency, characterized by normal serum levels but overall low magnesium, requires a more complex magnesium tolerance test, which is not widely available.
Historically, magnesium deficiency was not considered a significant concern except in individuals with conditions affecting magnesium absorption or excretion. However, research in the late 1990s and early 2000s suggested a link between inadequate dietary magnesium, overall magnesium levels, and cardiovascular function. Since 2006, numerous studies have reinforced this link, demonstrating a relationship between magnesium and conditions like high blood pressure, heart failure, and cardiac mortality. More recent data from 2018 onwards further support these findings, showing an inverse correlation between magnesium status and various cardiovascular issues, including stroke, coronary heart disease, atrial fibrillation, and cardiac morbidity and mortality.
The review proposes several mechanisms by which magnesium deficiency may contribute to cardiovascular problems. These include contributing to inflammatory and oxidative stress (an imbalance between oxidants and antioxidants), potentially affecting lipid levels and metabolism, and possibly contributing to endothelial dysfunction and electrolyte metabolism changes.
Determining optimal magnesium intake has been challenging, as individual needs can vary based on factors like body weight. However, surveys indicate that a significant portion of the population, possibly over a quarter of adults, may have magnesium intakes that could lead to mild to moderate deficiency or chronic latent magnesium deficiency.
