Increased magnesium intake association with reduced insulin resistance in men and women with metabolic syndrome

Tuesday, November 12, 2013. The October 2013 issue of the journal Nutrients published the finding of researchers at the University of Massachusetts Medical School of an association between greater magnesium intake and reduced insulin resistance in adults with metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome is characterized by the presence of several cardiovascular disease and diabetes risk factors that include increased waist circumference, high blood pressure, elevated blood glucose and disordered lipids. Previous research findings suggest that supplementation with magnesium could improve insulin sensitivity or insulin resistance in diabetics; however, there are few longitudinal studies that have investigated the protective effects of magnesium in nondiabetics with metabolic syndrome.

The study included 234 nondiabetic clinical trial participants who exhibited three or more metabolic syndrome components. Dietary assessments conducted at the beginning of the study and at six and twelve months were evaluated for the intake of magnesium and other nutrients, and blood samples collected at these time points were analyzed for fasting plasma insulin and glucose in order to evaluate insulin resistance.

At the twelve month mark, only 27.7% of the participants met the recommended daily allowance (RDA) for magnesium as determined by the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences, which is 400 milligrams (mg) per day for men and 310 mg per day for women between the ages of 19 and 30 years, and 420 mg for men and 320 mg daily for women over the age of 30. Among men and women whose magnesium intake over the course of the study was among the top 25% of participants, the adjusted odds of having insulin resistance was 71% lower than those whose intake was among the lowest 25%. Among those whose intake of magnesium over time met the U.S. RDA, the risk of insulin resistance was 63% lower than the risk experienced by those whose intake was inadequate.

"Although previous studies have evaluated the protective effect of magnesium, satisfying the RDA is a simple message that can have important clinical meaning," authors Jinsong Wang and colleagues conclude. "These findings indicate that dietary magnesium intake is inadequate among nondiabetic individuals with metabolic syndrome and suggest that increasing dietary magnesium to meet the RDA has a protective effect on insulin resistance."

http://www.lef.org/newsletter/2013/1112_Increased-magnesium-intake-association-with-reduced-insulin-resistance-in-men-and-women-with-metabolic-syndrome.htm?utm_source=eNewsletter_000&utm_medium=email&utm_term=Article&utm_content=Button&utm_campaign=2013Wk45-2