The Impact of Magnesium Supplementation on Overall Health: What Does the Research Say?

1. General Health and Disease Implications

• Study Type: Review

• Authors and Year: de Baaij JH, Hoenderop JG, Bindels RJ, 2015

• Journal: Physiological Reviews

• Number of Patients: N/A (review study)

• Findings: Magnesium is involved in over 600 enzymatic processes, including metabolism, muscle contraction, and immune regulation. It has been shown to benefit conditions such as preeclampsia, depression, coronary artery disease, and asthma by regulating ion transport and reducing inflammation. Magnesium deficiency can arise from drug use (e.g., diuretics) or hereditary conditions.

• Citation: de Baaij JH, Hoenderop JG, Bindels RJ. Magnesium in man: implications for health and disease. Physiol Rev. 2015;95(1):1-46.

  
  

2. Anti-Inflammatory and Cardiovascular Benefits

• Study Type: Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

• Authors and Year: Veronese N, Pizzol D, Smith L, et al., 2022

• Journal: Nutrients

• Number of Patients: 889 participants across 17 trials

• Findings: Magnesium supplementation significantly reduced C-reactive protein (CRP) levels (effect size: -0.57, p < 0.001) and increased nitric oxide (NO) production, which improves cardiovascular function. Additionally, magnesium decreased plasma fibrinogen and interleukin-1 (IL-1) levels, indicating reduced inflammation.

• Citation: Veronese N, Pizzol D, Smith L, Dominguez L, Barbagallo M. Effect of Magnesium Supplementation on Inflammatory Parameters: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Nutrients. 2022;14(3):679.

  
  

3. Impact on Metabolic Health and Diabetes

• Study Type: Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

• Authors and Year: Veronese N, Watutantrige-Fernando S, et al., 2016

• Journal: European Journal of Clinical Nutrition

• Number of Patients: 563 participants across 18 trials

• Findings: Magnesium supplementation significantly reduced fasting glucose levels (SMD = -0.40, p < 0.05) and improved insulin sensitivity in participants with or at risk of diabetes. It also reduced glucose levels in a 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test, suggesting improved metabolic outcomes.

• Citation: Veronese N, Watutantrige-Fernando S, Luchini C, et al. Effect of magnesium supplementation on glucose metabolism in people with or at risk of diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2016;70(12):1354-1359.

  
  

4. Physical Performance in the Elderly

• Study Type: Randomized Controlled Trial

• Authors and Year: Veronese N, Berton L, Carraro S, et al., 2014

• Journal: The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition

• Number of Patients: 124 elderly women

• Findings: After 12 weeks, magnesium supplementation improved walking speed (Δ = 0.14 m/s, p = 0.006) and chair stand times (Δ = -1.31 s, p < 0.0001) compared to controls. These findings suggest magnesium may help prevent age-related physical decline.

• Citation: Veronese N, Berton L, Carraro S, et al. Effect of oral magnesium supplementation on physical performance in healthy elderly women involved in a weekly exercise program: a randomized controlled trial. Am J Clin Nutr. 2014;100(3):974-981.

  
  

5. Mental Health and Stress Reduction

• Study Type: Randomized Controlled Trial (Post-Hoc Analysis)

• Authors and Year: Noah L, Dye L, de Fer BB, et al., 2021

• Journal: Stress and Health

• Number of Patients: 264 participants with high stress levels

• Findings: Magnesium with Vitamin B6 significantly reduced anxiety and stress scores (p < 0.05) compared to magnesium alone. Improvements were particularly noticeable during the first 4 weeks of supplementation.

• Citation: Noah L, Dye L, de Fer BB, et al. Effect of magnesium and vitamin B6 supplementation on mental health and quality of life in stressed healthy adults: Post-hoc analysis of a randomized controlled trial. Stress Health. 2021;37(5):1000-1009.

  
  

6. Exercise Performance Enhancement

• Study Type: Review

• Authors and Year: Zhang Y, Xun P, Wang R, et al., 2017

• Journal: Nutrients

• Number of Patients: N/A (review study)

• Findings: Magnesium improves exercise performance by increasing glucose availability and delaying lactate buildup. In some studies, it also enhanced grip strength and muscle endurance, especially in individuals with low magnesium levels.

• Citation: Zhang Y, Xun P, Wang R, Mao L, He K. Can Magnesium Enhance Exercise Performance? Nutrients. 2017;9(9):946.

  
  

7. Pregnancy Outcomes and Bone Health

• Study Type: Systematic Review (Cochrane Database)

• Authors and Year: Makrides M, Crosby D, Bain E, Crowther C, 2014

• Journal: Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews

• Number of Patients: 9090 women across 10 trials

• Findings: Magnesium supplementation reduced the incidence of low Apgar scores (RR = 0.34, 95% CI 0.15–0.80) and hospitalization during pregnancy (RR = 0.65, p < 0.01). However, there were no significant reductions in preeclampsia or stillbirth rates.

• Citation: Makrides M, Crosby D, Bain E, Crowther C. Magnesium supplementation in pregnancy. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2014;(4)

  
  

8. Blood Pressure Regulation

• Study Type: Meta-analysis

• Authors and Year: Kass L, Weekes J, Carpenter L, 2012

• Journal: European Journal of Clinical Nutrition

• Number of Patients: 1173 participants across 22 trials

• Findings: Magnesium supplementation reduced systolic blood pressure by 3-4 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure by 2-3 mmHg. Higher doses (>370 mg/day) and crossover trial designs showed the largest effects.

• Citation: Kass L, Weekes J, Carpenter L. Effect of magnesium supplementation on blood pressure: a meta-analysis. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2012;66(4):411-418.