Dietary magnesium intake inversely associated with prevalence of metabolic syndrome in older American men

This study was conducted so as to examine the cross-sectional relationship between dietary magnesium (Mg) intake, metabolic risk factors and metabolic syndrome in a sample of 535 community-based adults aged 60 years from Boston Massachusetts. Dietary intake of Mg was assessed by means of a 3-day food record and categorized by quartiles of dietary intake. After adjusting for multiple confounding variables, estimated Mg intake was inversely associated with metabolic syndrome, those presenting with the highest quartile of Mg intake having significantly lower risk of metabolic syndrome compared to those with the lowest quartile. Furthermore, there was a significant inverse relationship between estimated Mg intake and body mass index, and fasting glucose. According to these study results, Mg intake appears to be inversely associated with the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in otherwise healthy older adults. The two components of the syndrome most strongly associated with Mg intake were fasting glucose concentrations and BMI. Older adults should be encouraged to eat magnesium-rich food, such as green vegetables, legumes, and whole-grains.

Abstract

Keywords:
BMI – Diet – NCEP ATP III definition – Plasma glucose