Role of dietary magnesium in cardiovascular disease... : Current Opinion in Lipidology (original) (raw)

Nutrition and metabolism: Edited by Paul Nestel and Ronald Mensink

Role of dietary magnesium in cardiovascular disease prevention, insulin sensitivity and diabetes

Department of Internal Medicine, University of Turin, Italy

Correspondence to Simona Bo, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Turin, Corso Dogliotti 14, 10126 Turin, Italy Tel: +39 011 6967864; fax: +39 011 6634751; e-mail: [email protected]

Abstract

Purpose of review

This review summarizes the evidence for benefits of magnesium on metabolic abnormalities, inflammatory parameters, and cardiovascular risk factors and related-potential mechanisms. Controversy due to contrasting results in the literature is also discussed.

Recent findings

Increased dietary magnesium intake confers protection against the incidence of diabetes, metabolic syndrome, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease. It ameliorates insulin resistance, serum lipid profiles, and lowers inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and platelet aggregability. Magnesium acts as a mild calcium antagonist on vascular smooth muscle tone, and on postreceptor insulin signaling; it is critically involved in energy metabolism, fatty acid synthesis, glucose utilization, ATPase functions, release of neurotransmitters, and endothelial cell function and secretion. Prospective studies, however, have found only a modest effect for dietary magnesium on incident pathologies. Furthermore, magnesium supplementation on glucose metabolism, blood lipid levels, and ischemic heart disease has given inconsistent results.

Summary

There is strong biological plausibility for the direct impact of magnesium intake on metabolic and cardiovascular risk factors, but in-vivo magnesium deficiency might play only a modest role. Reverse causality, the strong association between magnesium and other beneficial nutrients, or the possibility that people who choose magnesium-rich foods are more health-conscious may be confounding factors.