Cardiovascular disease may be linked to magnesium deficiency

Magnesium deficiencies are rather common because of our refined diets, and the problem contributes to many diseases. According to a population study published in Diabetes & Metabolism, an adequate dietary magnesium intake lowers the risk of atherosclerosis, heart disease, and early death, especially among type 2 diabetics. The authors say that this knowledge should be included in the dietary guidelines, as type 2 diabetes is linked to cardiovascular disease and shorter lifespan. Type 2 diabetics may also have an increased need for magnesium and may even benefit from supplementation.

The new study included nearly 150,000 people, 4,603 of which had type 2 diabetes. All participants were recruited from the UK Biobank, which is a comprehensive database with health and nutrition information about approximately half a million people in the United Kingdom. The participants’ dietary magnesium intake from foods like wholegrains, vegetables, and nuts was assessed by using food questionnaires. Also, possible interactions between magnesium and type 2 diabetes were investigated by using different rating scales. The participants were followed for around 12 years. During this period, 7,811 new cases of cardiovascular disease were registered, and there were 5,000 deaths, including 599 deaths due to atherosclerosis.
The study revealed a significant link between magnesium intake and the risk of developing atherosclerosis and cardiovascular complications. A magnesium intake that was in accordance with the official recommendations, or higher, weas linked to a significantly lower risk of atherosclerosis, cardiovascular complications, and premature death from various causes. This was particularly true for type 2 diabetics. Type 2 diabetes is on the rise, which makes this knowledge about magnesium highly important. Type 2 diabetes is linked to a number of cardiovascular disorders that come with an enormous human and socio-economic price tag. The health authorities should also include this information in their dietary recommendations for diabetics.

Why do diabetics need more magnesium?

Patients with type 2 diabetes develop atherosclerotic plaque and cardiovascular disease substantially faster than the general population. This has something to do with type 2 diabetes being linked to elevated insulin levels and insulin resistance, where the cellular glucose uptake is impaired. Type 2 diabetes is also associated with chronic inflammation and oxidative stress, which is when free radicals attack and oxidize cholesterol and embed the destroyed lipid in the blood vessel walls. Oxidized cholesterol sets the stage for atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. Insulin resistance and elevated insulin levels also result in a loss of magnesium, and it has been observed that magnesium deficiency is 10 times more prevalent among diabetics. The magnesium deficiency apparently worsens the insulin resistance, thereby increasing the risk of complications such as cardiovascular disease.
Magnesium appears to be important for regulating levels of insulin and blood sugar. Magnesium is also important for regulating chronic inflammation, a problem that is highly problematic in connection with type 2 diabetes because it sets the stage for atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease.
Magnesium is one of the minerals we need in the greatest quantities. It is important for our health in general, including bone health, blood pressure, heart, nervous system, muscles and digestion.
Normal blood tests don’t provide a reliable picture of the body’s magnesium levels because we have most of our magnesium inside our cells. Only around 0.3% of our magnesium is found in the blood. That is why the scientists chose to concentrate on dietary magnesium intake in their study. It is also worth noting that too much dietary calcium, chronic diseases, and different types of medicine can affect the uptake and utilization of magnesium.

Magnesium sources and supplementation

It is good if you get magnesium by eating wholegrains and coarse greens like cabbage and kale plus nuts, kernels, and seeds, or from animal sources like meat and fish. Also, it is important to balance your intake of magnesium with your intake of calcium. When supplementing, always make sure to choose assimilable organic magnesium sources that are absorbed as free magnesium ions in the small intestine. Magnesium oxide should be avoided, as this is primarily a form of magnesium that is used as a laxative and has poor absorption.

Reference:

Ruyu Huang et al. Associations of dietary magnesium intake with the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and mortality in individuals with and without type 2 diabetes: A prospective study in the UK Biobank Diabetes Metab 2024