Magnesium supplements could reduce inflammation

A daily magnesium supplement could reduce the levels of a inflammation that could lead to heart disease in people with low dietary intake of the mineral, says a US study.

“The key finding in this study is that magnesium intake from supplements has an impact on the likelihood of having elevated C-reactive protein, separate from and in addition to dietary magnesium intake,” wrote lead author Dana King in the latest issue of the journal Nutrition Research (Vol. 26, pp. 193-196).

C-reactive protein (CRP) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine, meaning it is a signaling molecule associated with increased inflammation. Chronic inflammation, brought about by an over-expression or lack of control of the normal protective mechanism, can lead to a range of inflammatory related disease, particularly cardiovascular disease.

The researchers used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2000 (NHANES 99-00), and focused on 10,024 people with valid measurements of both CRP levels and dietary and supplemental intake of magnesium.

Among the participants it was found that 25.6 per cent were taking magnesium supplements of at least 50 mg per day, and generally tended to be older, female and non-smokers.

Of the people taking less that 50 mg/d of supplemental magnesium, only 21.9 per cent met or exceeded the US recommended daily allowance for the mineral: 420 mg for men over 30, and 320 mg for women over 30.

People with a total (dietary plus supplements) magnesium intake below the RDA were found to be 40 per cent more probable to have elevated CRP levels.

“The implications of these findings are that magnesium supplementation intake may be a viable alternative for reducing inflammation in people who do not achieve the RDA for magnesium through dietary sources alone,” said King.

“The findings also have some implications on whether magnesium plays a direct and important role in regulating inflammation.”

Courtesy of npicenter.com

Steve - our favorite nutrient does it again! Note that for most people, a glycinate form is more absorbable and easier on the gi tract than your usual magnesium oxide or citrate, which can creat loose stool and intestinal disturbance. That is why we have been recommending the glycinate for over 15 years now!