Magnesium and Fracture Risk in the General Population and Patients Receiving Dialysis: A Narrative Review

Area of Science:

• Bone metabolism and fracture risk

Background:

• Magnesium is vital for bone health, but its impact on fracture risk is not fully understood.
• Limited research exists on how magnesium intake affects bone health in individuals with kidney disease.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the effects of magnesium intake on mineral bone disease and fracture risk.
• To explore magnesium's role in individuals with varying stages of kidney disease.

Main Methods:

• A narrative review of peer-reviewed clinical trials and observational studies.
• Searched MEDLINE and EMBASE databases for relevant English-language articles.
• Assessed the quality of clinical trials using a modified Downs and Black criteria checklist.

Main Results:

• Higher dietary magnesium intake correlated with higher bone mineral density in the general population, but fracture risk effects were inconsistent.
• In dialysis patients, higher dialysate magnesium lowered parathyroid hormone, but other bone outcomes are less known.
• Observational studies in hemodialysis patients indicated higher serum magnesium was linked to lower hip fracture risk.

Conclusions:

• The role of magnesium in fracture prevention is unclear, especially in dialysis patients.
• Magnesium's effects in the general population may not directly apply to those with chronic kidney disease.
• Further research is needed to clarify magnesium's impact on bone health and fracture risk in kidney disease patients.