Diet Rich in Magnesium Heads off Metabolic Syndrome

March 29, 2006

A diet rich in magnesium may help reduce the incidence of metabolic

syndrome, the cluster of conditions that can lead to diabetes and

coronary heart disease, new research finds.

The study of more than 4,600 Americans, begun in 1985, found the risk

of developing metabolic syndrome over the next 15 years was 31 percent

lower for those with the highest intake of magnesium, according to a

report in the March 28 issue of Circulation.

http://tinyurl.com/m3s7o

-Diane

March 29, 2006

Hi folks:

I really do wish that, in studies like this, when they say the

highest quartile experiences 30% less of X than the lowest quartile

they would also indicate, in the abstract, how much the highest and

lowest quartiles were getting. The we can compare our intakes with

theirs and draw some conclusions.

Sigh.

Here is the abstract:

" Magnesium Intake and Incidence of Metabolic Syndrome Among Young

Adults.

He K, Liu K, Daviglus ML, SJ, Loria CM, Van Horn L, s DR

Jr, Savage PJ.

Department of Preventive Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine,

Northwestern University, Chicago, Ill.

BACKGROUND: Studies suggest that magnesium intake may be inversely

related to risk of hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus and that

higher intake of magnesium may decrease blood triglycerides and

increase high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels. However,

the longitudinal association of magnesium intake and incidence of

metabolic syndrome has not been investigated. METHODS AND RESULTS: We

prospectively examined the relations between magnesium intake and

incident metabolic syndrome and its components among 4637 Americans,

aged 18 to 30 years, who were free from metabolic syndrome and

diabetes at baseline. Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed according to

the National Cholesterol Education Program/Adult Treatment Panel III

definition. Diet was assessed by an interviewer-administered

quantitative food frequency questionnaire, and magnesium intake was

derived from the nutrient database developed by the Minnesota

Nutrition Coordinating Center. During the 15 years of follow-up, 608

incident cases of the metabolic syndrome were identified. Magnesium

intake was inversely associated with incidence of metabolic syndrome

after adjustment for major lifestyle and dietary variables and

baseline status of each component of the metabolic syndrome. Compared

with those in the lowest quartile of magnesium intake, multivariable-

adjusted hazard ratio of metabolic syndrome for participants in the

highest quartile was 0.69 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.52 to

0.91; P for trend <0.01). The inverse associations were not

materially modified by gender and race. Magnesium intake was also

inversely related to individual component of the metabolic syndrome

and fasting insulin levels. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that

young adults with higher magnesium intake have lower risk of

development of metabolic syndrome. "

PMID: 16567569

Rodney.

>

> A diet rich in magnesium may help reduce the incidence of metabolic

> syndrome, the cluster of conditions that can lead to diabetes and

> coronary heart disease, new research finds.

>

> The study of more than 4,600 Americans, begun in 1985, found the

risk

> of developing metabolic syndrome over the next 15 years was 31

percent

> lower for those with the highest intake of magnesium, according to a

> report in the March 28 issue of Circulation.

>

> http://tinyurl.com/m3s7o

>

> -Diane

>

March 29, 2006