Related Experiment Videos
Dietary magnesium and C-reactive protein levels
Dana E King1, Arch G Mainous, Mark E Geesey
1Department of Family Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, 295 Calhoun Street, PO Box 250192, Charleston, SC 29425, USA. kingde@musc.edu
Journal of the American College of Nutrition
|June 3, 2005
Summary
Most Americans do not meet magnesium intake recommendations. Low magnesium consumption is linked to higher C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, a marker of inflammation, potentially increasing cardiovascular disease risk.
Area of Science:
- Nutritional Science
- Cardiovascular Health
- Inflammation Biomarkers
Background:
- Dietary magnesium is crucial for health and cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention.
- Emerging evidence suggests a link between magnesium and inflammatory processes.
- C-reactive protein (CRP) is a key marker for systemic inflammation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between dietary magnesium intake and CRP levels.
- To analyze this relationship in a nationally representative adult population in the US.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional analysis of US adults (≥17 years) from the 1999-2000 NHANES survey.
- Exclusion of participants using magnesium supplements.
- High-sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP) was the primary outcome measure (elevated ≥3.0 mg/L).
Main Results:
- 68% of US adults consumed less than the recommended daily allowance (RDA) for magnesium; 19% consumed <50% RDA.
- After adjusting for confounders, magnesium intake below RDA was associated with increased odds of elevated CRP (OR 1.48-1.75).
- Adults >40 years with BMI >25 and magnesium intake <50% RDA had significantly higher odds of elevated CRP (OR 2.24).
Conclusions:
- A majority of American adults have suboptimal magnesium intake.
- Lower dietary magnesium is significantly associated with elevated CRP levels.
- Inadequate magnesium intake may be a contributing factor to increased cardiovascular disease risk via inflammation.