Long-term magnesium supplementation in essential hypertension

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Medicine
• Clinical Nutrition
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Hypertension is a prevalent cardiovascular risk factor.
• Magnesium plays a role in vascular tone and blood pressure regulation.
• Magnesium pidolate is a bioavailable form of magnesium supplementation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of magnesium pidolate on blood pressure.
• To assess magnesium pidolate's effects during sympathetic nervous system stimulation.
• To evaluate changes in peripheral blood flow with magnesium supplementation.

Main Methods:

• A 6-month, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
• 14 participants with mild to moderate hypertension received magnesium pidolate (15 mmol/day) or placebo.
• Blood pressure was measured at rest and during cold pressor, isometric, and tilt tests. Peripheral blood flow was assessed using strain-gauge plethysmography.

Main Results:

• Magnesium supplementation increased urinary magnesium excretion and serum magnesium levels.
• No significant changes in resting blood pressure were observed with magnesium pidolate.
• Blood pressure responses during sympathetic stimulation tests (cold, isometric, tilt) were similar between magnesium and placebo groups.
• A non-significant reduction in forearm peripheral resistance was noted in the magnesium group.

Conclusions:

• Long-term magnesium pidolate supplementation does not appear to significantly affect blood pressure in hypertensive individuals.
• Magnesium pidolate did not alter blood pressure responses to sympathetic stimulation.
• Further research may be needed to explore potential subtle effects on vascular resistance.