Magnesium deficiency and alcohol intake: mechanisms, clinical significance and possible relation to cancer development (a review).

Abstract

A comprehensive and critical review of the evidence relating magnesium (Mg) deficiency to alcohol consumption reveals several important types of interactions. First, alcohol acts acutely as a Mg diuretic, causing a prompt, vigorous increase in the urinary excretion of this metal along with that of certain other electrolytes. Second, with chronic intake of alcohol and development of alcoholism, the body stores of Mg become depleted. During the late stages of alcoholism, the urinary excretion of Mg may become diminished as a physiological response to reduced intake and reduction of body stores. A number of aspects of the clinical syndrome of alcoholism contribute to and intensify that already existing reduction in body Mg stores. Third, a number of manifestations of alcoholism are believed due to effects of Mg deficiency, and some therapeutic benefit has been suggested from treatment of alcoholic patients with Mg. Finally, relatively little attention has been paid to the possible value of Mg administration as a preventive measure to forestall or minimize the deleterious effects of chronic use of alcohol or to prevent the development of cancer than can occur in this setting.

Nonlinear association between magnesium intake and the risk of colorectal cancer

“…Magnesium deficiency is plausibly linked to an increased risk of many types of solid cancers, especially colorectal cancer [55][56][57]. However, low Larsson et al [20] Larsson et al [20] Folsom and Hong [19] Lin et al [21] Lin et al [21] van Li et al [24] Zhang et al [25] Zhang et al [25] Zhang et al [25] Rectal cancer Larsson et al [20] Folsom and Hong [19] Lin et al [21] I 2 = 8.8%, P = 0.362 I 2 = 0.0%, P = 0.538 I 2 = 16.0%, P = 0.304 magnesium consumption is common worldwide.…”

Implications of Magnesium Deficiency in Type 2 Diabetes: A Review

“…This is due in fact to the inherent effect of alcohol on magnesium homeostasis and in part to the consequences of the poor diet typical of alcohol abusers. Actually, alcohol increases urinary magnesium excretion by as much as 260% above baseline values; this occurs within minutes of ingestion of the parenteral administration [17]. Until recently, the function of magnesium in biological processes was largely ignored, and it was treated as a forgotten ion.…”

“…Deficiency is more likely in those who eat processed food diet; in people who cook or boil all foods, especially vegetables; in those who drink soft water; in alcoholics; and in people who eat food grown in magnesium-deficient soils, where synthetic fertilizers containing no magnesium are often used [17,[20][21][22]. Deficiency is also more common when magnesium absorption is decreased (such as after burns, serious injuries, or surgery) and in patients with diabetes, liver disease, or mal-absorption problems and when magnesium elimination is increased, as in people who use alcohol, caffeine, or excess sugar or who take diuretics or birth control pills [23,24].…”

Magnesium Deficiency in Type 2 Diabetes

“…In man, the fi rst description of clinical depletion was published in 1934 [ 18 ] . De fi ciency is more likely in those who eat processed food diet; in people who cook or boil all foods, especially vegetables; in those who drink soft water; in alcoholics; and in people who eat food grown in magnesium-de fi cient soils, where synthetic fertilizers containing no magnesium are often used [ 16,19 ] . De fi ciency is also more common when magnesium absorption is decreased, such as after burns, serious injuries, or surgery and in patients with diabetes, liver disease, or malabsorption problems, and when magnesium elimination is increased, as in people who use alcohol, caffeine, or excess sugar or who take diuretics or birth control pills [ 20 ] .…”