Magnesium intake inversely associated with T2D and stroke

Takeaway

• Magnesium intake was inversely associated with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and total stroke in a dose-dependent manner.

Why this matters

• Findings support the guidelines to address the role of magnesium intake in early prevention strategies to prevent T2D and stroke.

Study design

• 41 prospective studies met eligibility criteria after a search across PubMed, Embase, and other databases.
• Funding: National Natural Science Foundation of China and others.

Key results

• Higher magnesium intake vs lower intake was associated with significant reduction in the risk of:
  • T2D (relative risk [RR], 0.78; 95% CI, 0.75-0.81);
  • stroke (RR, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.83-0.94) and;
  • ischaemic stroke (RR, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.81-0.95; P<.001 for all).
•  T2D and stroke risk was lower after adjustment for cereal fibre (RR, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.73-0.85; P<.001) and calcium (RR, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.80-0.99; P=.040), respectively.
• In subgroup analyses, the risk for total stroke and ischaemic stroke, respectively was reduced in:
  • women:
    • RR, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.83-0.99; and
    • RR, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.79-1.00.
  • those with body mass index ≥25 mg/m²:
    • RR, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.82-0.96; and
    • RR, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.81-0.96.
  • those with ≥12-year follow-up:
    • RR, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.83-0.95; and
    • RR, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.81-0.95.

Limitations

• Non-inclusion of randomised controlled trials to prove the causality.