Dietary magnesium intake is inversely associated with serum C-reactive protein levels: meta-analysis and systematic review

Abstract

Objectives-To quantitatively summarize the association of dietary magnesium (Mg) intake with serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in the general population.Methods-Observational and experimental studies through February 2013 were reviewed in PubMed and EMBASE. Additional information was retrieved through Google or hand search of related reference lists. The main outcome is either adjusted geometric mean of CRP or odds ratio (OR) of having serum CRP≥3 mg/L. Meta-regression was used to determine the linear association of dietary Mg intake and adjusted geometric means of CRP levels. A fixed-effects model was used to pool ORs of interest, comparing those in the lowest with those in the highest group of dietary Mg intake.Results-A dataset derived from seven cross-sectional studies including 32,918 participants was quantitatively assessed. A weighted inverse association between Mg intake and serum CRP levels was observed[β coefficient: −0.0028; 95% CI, −0.0043 to −0.0013; P for trend=0.001] from four cross-sectional studies. The pooled OR (95%CI) of having CRP≥3 mg/L was 1.49(1.18 to 1.89) comparing the lowest to the highest group of Mg intake from three studies with data available. Qualitative assessment among five intervention studies also showed a potential beneficial effect of Mg intake on serum CRP levels.Conclusion-This meta-analysis and systematic review indicate that dietary Mg intake is significantly and inversely associated with serum CRP levels. The potential beneficial effect of Mg intake on chronic diseases may be, at least in part, explained by inhibiting inflammation.

Hypomagnesemia and its relation with chronic low-grade inflammation in obesity

“…11,44,45 It is important to mention that the mechanisms involved in the inflammatory response present in magnesium deficient obese individuals are not yet clearly elucidated. However, according to the literature, the opening of calcium channels and the activation of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors, as well as the priming of phagocytic cells, induce the entry of calcium into the cell, release of neurotransmitters, such as substance P, membrane oxidation and activation of nuclear transcription factor kappa B (NF-kB), which favors the inflammatory process.…”

“…However, according to the literature, the opening of calcium channels and the activation of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors, as well as the priming of phagocytic cells, induce the entry of calcium into the cell, release of neurotransmitters, such as substance P, membrane oxidation and activation of nuclear transcription factor kappa B (NF-kB), which favors the inflammatory process. 22,45,46 The inflammatory response is mainly related to the change in the extracellular concentration of magnesium, since the deficiency of this mineral reduces its plasma concentrations but does not alter its intracellular concentration. Thus, it is important to emphasize the action of magnesium as a natural calcium antagonist and that the reduction of magnesium in the extracellular compartment induces an increase in the concentration of intracellular calcium, favoring the activation of phagocytic cells and the production of cytokines.…”

Clinical trial on the effects of oral magnesium supplementation in stable-phase COPD patients

“…This suggests that oral magnesium supplementation may have an anti-inflammatory role. Some studies investigating magnesium supplementation through other means of administration have obtained similar results [ 25 , 26 ]. However, Kazaks and colleagues, who analyzed the effects of oral magnesium supplementation in a population of asthmatic subjects, reported no significant changes in inflammation markers in either the placebo or the magnesium group [ 27 ].…”

Dietary magnesium, C-reactive protein and interleukin-6: The Strong Heart Family Study

“…Major sources of dietary Mg include leafy green vegetables, nuts, seeds, and whole grains [2]. Observational studies suggest that individuals who consume diets high in dietary Mg have lower levels of inflammation as evaluated by C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations when compared to individuals whose diets are low in Mg [3][4][5]. On the other hand, results from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that tested the impact of oral Mg supplementation on inflammation demonstrate mixed results; some RCTs show no impact of oral Mg supplementation on CRP levels [6][7][8][9][10], while a large meta-analysis of RCTs suggests that supplementation reduces CRP levels [11].…”