Long-term magnesium supplementation improves arterial stiffness in overweight and obese adults: results of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled intervention trial.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to evaluate the effects of long-term magnesium supplementation on arterial stiffness in overweight and slightly obese individuals.
Results Summary
The study found that 24-week magnesium supplementation (350 mg/d) improved arterial stiffness (measured by PWVc-f) but did not affect blood pressure. Serum magnesium levels and urinary excretion increased, indicating effective absorption.
Population
Overweight and slightly obese individuals (30 men and 22 postmenopausal women, mean age 62 ± 6 years).
Effective Dosage
350 mg/d (3 × 117 mg daily).
Duration
24 weeks.
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
magnesium supplementation | increase | serum magnesium concentrations | overweight and slightly obese individuals | 0.02 mmol/L | tended to increase | #1 |
magnesium supplementation | increase | 24-h urinary magnesium excretion | overweight and slightly obese individuals | 2.01 mmol | increased | #2 |
magnesium supplementation | no change | carotid-to-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWVc-f) | overweight and slightly obese individuals | 0.0 m/s | was not changed | #3 |
magnesium supplementation | decrease | carotid-to-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWVc-f) | overweight and slightly obese individuals | 1.0 m/s | was improved | #4 |
magnesium supplementation | no change | office and 24-h ambulatory blood pressure levels | overweight and slightly obese individuals | no significant change | were not changed | #5 |
daily magnesium supplement of 350 mg for 24 wk | decrease | arterial stiffness | overweight and obese adults | - | reduces | #6 |
BACKGROUND: Epidemiologic studies have suggested a protective effect of magnesium intake on cardiovascular disease risk. However, intervention trials of magnesium supplementation on blood pressure and conventional cardiometabolic risk markers are inconsistent. Effects on vascular function markers related to cardiovascular disease risk have rarely been studied. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to evaluate the effects of long-term magnesium supplementation on arterial stiffness. DESIGN: We performed a 24-wk, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled intervention study. Fifty-two overweight and slightly obese individuals (30 men and 22 postmenopausal women, mean ± SD age: 62 ± 6 y) were randomly allocated to receive either 3 times daily magnesium (3 × 117 mg or 350 mg/d) or placebo capsules. Twenty-four-hour urine collections and 24-h ambulatory blood pressure assessments were performed at the start and end of the study. Carotid-to-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWVc-f) was assessed at baseline, after 12 wk, and at week 24. RESULTS: Serum magnesium concentrations did not differ after 12 wk but tended to increase after 24-wk magnesium supplementation compared with placebo by 0.02 mmol/L (95% CI: 0.00, 0.04 mmol/L; P = 0.09). Twenty-four-hour urinary magnesium excretion increased by 2.01 mmol (95% CI: 1.22, 2.93 mmol; P < 0.001) at week 24. PWVc-f was not changed after 12 wk (0.0 m/s; 95% CI: -0.6, 0.5 m/s; P = 0.90) but was improved in the magnesium compared with the placebo group by 1.0 m/s (95% CI: 0.4, 1.6 m/s; P = 0.001) after 24 wk. Office and 24-h ambulatory blood pressure levels were not changed. No adverse events were observed. CONCLUSION: Our data indicate that a daily magnesium supplement of 350 mg for 24 wk in overweight and obese adults reduces arterial stiffness, as estimated by a decrease in PWVc-f, suggesting a potential mechanism by which an increased dietary magnesium intake beneficially affects cardiovascular health. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02235805.