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Magnesium intake and serum C-reactive protein levels in children

Dana E King1, Arch G Mainous, Mark E Geesey

  • 1Department of Family Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, 295 Calhoun Street, Charleston, South Carolina 29425, USA. kingde@musc.edu

Magnesium Research
|June 1, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Children with low magnesium intake, less than 75% of the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA), showed higher C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, indicating increased inflammation. This suggests a link between insufficient magnesium and heightened inflammatory markers in pediatric populations.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Nutrition
  • Inflammation Biomarkers
  • Public Health Nutrition

Background:

  • Inflammation, indicated by C-reactive protein (CRP), is a risk factor for various chronic diseases.
  • Magnesium is an essential mineral involved in numerous physiological processes, including immune function.
  • Dietary intake of magnesium is often suboptimal in children.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between magnesium consumption and serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in children.
  • To determine if inadequate magnesium intake is linked to elevated inflammation markers in a pediatric cohort.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of cross-sectional data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) involving children aged 6-17 years.
  • Assessment of magnesium intake relative to the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA).
  • Statistical analysis to determine the likelihood of elevated CRP levels based on magnesium consumption.

Main Results:

  • Children consuming less than 75% of the RDA for magnesium were 1.94 times more likely to have elevated CRP levels (p < 0.05).
  • After adjusting for covariates (demographics, cardiovascular risk factors, BMI), children with magnesium intake below 75% RDA remained 58% more likely to have elevated CRP (OR 1.58).

Conclusions:

  • Lower magnesium consumption is associated with increased C-reactive protein levels in children.
  • Inadequate magnesium intake may contribute to heightened inflammation in pediatric populations.
  • Ensuring adequate magnesium intake is important for potentially mitigating inflammation in children.

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