Magnesium Reduces Coronary Artery Calcification

by | Sep 6, 2016 | 2016, Cardiovascular Health, Circulatory Health, Magnesium, Minerals

Written by Joyce Smith, BS. This study of 1276 participants with cardiovascular disease revealed that those with the lowest blood levels of magnesium had a significantly higher prevalence of hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and coronary artery calcification (a predictor of cardiovascular disease and death).

cardiovascular healthMagnesium plays a pivotal role in human health. Studies have shown that low serum magnesium levels are significantly associated with increased diabetes mellitus, insulin resistance and inflammation. 1-3 Magnesium also modulates blood vessel tone; for example, magnesium ions are needed to relax the endothelium cells that line coronary arteries of the heart. When blood vessels relax, blood pressure can decrease and peripheral blood flow increase. 4

Studies have shown that serum magnesium levels are associated with hypertension 5 and coronary heart disease (CHD) 6; however, there are conflicting results regarding an association between dietary magnesium and coronary artery calcification (CAC). 7 A population-based study has shown that low serum magnesium levels are associated with CAC in the Korean population. 8 Research has also shown that ethnicity influences the prevalence and severity of CAC. 9 Therefore, researchers chose to assess the cross-sectional association of serum magnesium concentrations with CAC in Mexican-mestizo subjects who had no family history of premature coronary heart disease (CHD) and no symptoms of (CVD).

This study involved 1,276 participants from the Genetics of Atherosclerotic Disease Study which included both men and women, ages 30 – 70 years. Study participants were limited to those without CVD or a family history of premature CHD. Blood samples provided data on serum magnesium and other pertinent values such as blood pressure, fasting glucose, lipid measurements and diabetes. Coronary artery calcium was assessed using computed tomography (CT or CAT Scans).

Results:

  • 13% of women and 41.5% of male subjects had coronary artery scores greater than zero.
  • Among subjects whose serum magnesium levels were among the top 25% of participants, the adjusted risk of having a CAC score greater than zero was 42% lower than those whose magnesium levels were among the lowest 25%.
  • Additionally, compared to those in the lowest magnesium level group, a risk of high blood pressure was 48% lower (p=0.028) and risk of type 2 diabetes was 69% lower (p=0.003) with 42% lower odds of CAC score >0 (p=0.016) for those in the highest magnesium group.
  • Also, each 0.17 milligram per deciliter increment in serum magnesium was independently associated with a 16% lower risk of coronary artery calcification.

The researchers conclude “In a sample of Mexican-mestizo subjects, low serum magnesium was independently associated with higher prevalence not only of hypertension and DM2 [diabetes mellitus type 2], but also correlated with coronary artery calcification, which is a marker of atherosclerosis and a predictor of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.”

The present study has some limitations. First, the cross-sectional design does not allow for causal relationships between serum magnesium and coronary artery calcification. Second, although the data was very comprehensive and adjusted for multiple risk factors, the possibility of confounding from unknown or unmeasured factors exists. Third, the study population was strictly Mexican-mestizo, thus the results may not translate to other ethnic populations.

Source: Posadas-Sánchez R., Posadas-Romero C et al. Serum magnesium is inversely associated with coronary artery calcification in the Genetics of Atherosclerotic Disease (GEA) Study. Nutrition Journal (2016) 15:22; DOI 10.1186/s12937-016-0143-3

© 2016 Posadas-Sánchez et al. Open Access This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

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Posted September 6, 2016.

References:

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  2. Kao WL, Folsom AR, Nieto FJ, Mo J-P, Watson RL, Brancati FL. Serum and dietary magnesium and the risk for type 2 diabetes mellitus: the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study. Archives of Internal Medicine. 1999;159(18):2151-2159.
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