Evaluation of Magnesium Intake and Its Relation with Bone Quality in Healthy Young Korean Women

Abstract

Many studies have reported magnesium's role in nutrition as a vital factor involved in bone health. However, not enough studies have evaluated magnesium (Mg) intakes in young women. In this study, we evaluated Mg intake in healthy adults and its relation with bone quality. A total of 484 healthy young women in their early 20s were enrolled into the study. Anthropometric measurements, dietary intake survey using 3-day dietary records, and the bone quality of the calcaneus using quantitative ultrasounds were obtained and analyzed. Average age, height, and weight of the subjects were respectively 20.20 years, 161.37 cm, and 54.09 kg, respectively. Also, the average broadband ultrasound attenuation, speed of sound (SOS), stiffness index (SI), and calcaneus T scores were 114.32 dB/MHz, 1,568.45 m/s, 95.23, and 0.36 g/cm(2), respectively. The subject's average intake of energy was 1,543.19 kcal, and the average Mg intake was 185.87 mg/day. Mg intake per 1,000 kcal of consumed energy in our subjects was 119.85 mg. Subjects consumed 63.11% of the recommended intake for Mg. Food groups consumed with high Mg content in our subjects included cereals (38.62 mg), vegetables (36.97 mg), milk (16.82 mg), legumes (16.72 mg), and fish (16.50 mg). The level of Mg intake per 1,000 kcal showed significant correlation to the SOS in the calcaneus (r = 0.110, p < 0.05) after adjustment for age, BMI, and percent body fat. In addition, the intakes of Mg from potatoes (p < 0.001), legumes (p < 0.05), and fungi and mushrooms (p < 0.05) positively correlated with the SOS of the calcaneus. In conclusion, the magnesium intake status of young Korean women aged 19-25 years is unsatisfactory. Improving dietary intake of Mg may positively impact bone quality in this population.

Trace elements and bone health

“…Magnesium intake was a significant, independent predictor of bone density in young [ 29 ]. The protective effect of high magnesium intake on bone quality was documented in healthy women using ultrasound measurement in calcaneus [ 30 ]. Moreover, another study in healthy women showed that magnesium intake was positively correlated with bone mass values and it was associated with 12% variability in a bone resorption marker value, deoxypyridinoline in urine [ 31 ].…”

Dietary magnesium and potassium intakes and circulating magnesium are associated with heel bone ultrasound attenuation and osteoporotic fracture risk in the EPIC-Norfolk cohort study ,

“…Metabolism of magnesium and potassium is linked because magnesium is required for effective Na + /K + -ATPase pump function (17), magnesium and potassium have additive effects in preventing an increase in the endogenous sodium potassium pump inhibitor (16), and both have direct and indirect effects on calcium homeostasis (9,18). Previous studies of the association of dietary magnesium and potassium with bone health have had limited generalizability because of their focus on discrete population groups, such as narrow age range groups of relatively old (5,19) or young individuals (20), restrictions to premenopausal (8,20) or postmenopausal women only (13), and non-United Kingdom residents (5,7,20). Indeed, the most recent and comprehensive study, with a large cohort size and longitudinal analysis of fracture risk, was also limited to women only (7).…”

Cardiovascular Calcification and Bone: A Comparison of The Effects of Dietary and Serum Calcium, Phosphorous, Magnesium and Vitamin D

“…A large multiethnic study found that this association may apply to older whites but not blacks 112 . Some studies also found an association with BMD in younger women [113][114] . Study results are mixed with respect to intake and fracture risk 84,110,115 and among Japanese subjects low serum magnesium was associated with increased fracture incidence 116 .…”