Taurine Intake with Magnesium Reduces Cardiometabolic Risks

Area of Science:

• Nutritional Science
• Cardiovascular Health
• Public Health

Background:

• The WHO-CARDIAC study indicated inverse relationships between 24-hour urinary taurine (T) and magnesium (Mg) excretions and cardiometabolic risks (CMR) across global populations.
• Investigating these associations within a single ethnicity, the Japanese population, was crucial to mitigate confounding factors like ethnicity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the association between 24-hour urinary taurine and magnesium excretions and cardiometabolic risks within the Japanese population.
• To explore the impact of dietary habits, specifically seafood consumption, on these associations.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of 24-hour urinary taurine/creatinine (T/C) and magnesium/creatinine (Mg/C) ratios in over 600 Japanese adults (aged 30-79).
• Participants underwent health examinations including blood pressure measurement, fasting blood sampling, and 24-hour urine collection.
• Tertile analyses were performed to assess relationships between T/C and Mg/C ratios and various cardiometabolic risk factors.

Main Results:

• Higher T/C ratios were associated with significantly higher HDL cholesterol, and urinary potassium (K) and salt.
• Higher Mg/C ratios were linked to significantly lower body mass index (BMI) and higher folic acid, urinary isoflavones, K, and salt.
• Combined high T/C and Mg/C ratios correlated with lower BMI, LDL/HDL ratio, and Na/K ratio, alongside higher HDL cholesterol and folic acid.

Conclusions:

• Elevated urinary taurine and magnesium levels, particularly in Japanese individuals with high seafood intake, are associated with reduced risks of obesity, atherosclerosis, and hypertension.
• Higher intake of magnesium-rich foods and seafood may contribute to lower cardiometabolic risks and increased folic acid levels, promoting healthy longevity.