Increased magnesium intake does not mitigate MAFLD risk associated with magnesium deficiency

Area of Science:

• Nutritional Science
• Hepatology
• Metabolic Disorders

Background:

• Serum magnesium levels are unreliable indicators of magnesium status.
• The relationship between magnesium deficiency and metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) requires clarification.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between magnesium deficiency, assessed by the magnesium depletion score (MDS), and MAFLD in American adults.
• To explore potential mediating mechanisms including inflammation, oxidative stress, and aging.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from 3,377 US participants.
• Employed multinomial logistic regression to analyze the association between magnesium deficiency and MAFLD.
• Used structural equation modeling (SEM) to identify mediation effects.

Main Results:

• Magnesium deficiency was significantly associated with an increased risk of MAFLD (OR: 1.69).
• Dietary magnesium intake showed a protective effect only in individuals without magnesium deficiency.
• Inflammation, oxidative stress, and aging were identified as significant mediators.

Conclusions:

• Magnesium deficiency, as indicated by MDS, is a potential risk factor for MAFLD in American adults.
• Interventions should focus on correcting magnesium deficiency rather than solely increasing dietary intake to mitigate MAFLD risk.
• Inflammation, oxidative stress, and aging are key pathways linking magnesium deficiency to MAFLD.