Written by Greg Arnold, DC, CSCS. Men with the highest 20% intake of magnesium have a 35% reduced risk of colorectal cancer compared to men with the lowest 20%.
As the second leading cause of death from cancer (behind lung cancer) in the United States, colorectal cancer claims more than 55,000 Americans each year. While 140,000 new cases are diagnosed each year, it is estimated that one in four Americans (80 to 90 million Americans) are considered at risk because of age or other factors. Colorectal cancer, contrary to what most people believe, affects both men and women equally (1).
Now a new study (2) has found that magnesium may also help colorectal health in men. In the study, researchers analyzed data on 40,830 men and 46,287 women from the Japan Public Health Center Study (3).
They looked at their food intake and colorectal cancer incidence over the course of 5 years. After controlling for other factors that included physical activity, body mass index, and other vitamin intakes (including zinc, folic acid, vitamin B6, and vitamin D), the researchers found that compared to men with the lowest 20% intake of magnesium (less than 238 mg per day), men with the highest 20% intake of magnesium (more than 327 mg per day) had a 35% reduced risk of colorectal cancer. No protective effects were observed in women for magnesium and colorectal cancer.
For the researchers, “Higher dietary intake of magnesium may decrease the risk of colorectal cancer in Japanese men”. Magnesium is abundant in vegetables, rice and wheat, soy and soy products, fish, milk and other dairy products, with the current recommended intake to range from 80 mg per day in infants to 420 mg per day in men over the age of 31 (4). This study shows a possible association between magnesium intake and reduction of corectal cancer, but should be confirmed with a double-blind placebo controlled study.
Source: Ma, Enbo, et al. “High dietary intake of magnesium may decrease risk of colorectal cancer in Japanese men.” The Journal of nutrition 140.4 (2010): 779-785.
© 2010 American Society for Nutrition.
Posted May 7, 2010.
References:
- “Colorectal Cancer Fact Sheet” posted on the Foundation for Digestive Health and Nutrition Website.
- Ma E. High Dietary Intake of Magnesium May Decrease Risk of Colorectal Cancer in Japanese Men.J. Nutr. (February 17, 2010). doi:10.3945/jn.109.117747
- JPHC study details – Magnesium.
- Office of Dietary Supplements National Institutes of Health website.
