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Dietary magnesium intake is related to metabolic syndrome in older Americans

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Abstract

Background

Magnesium (Mg) is an essential cofactor for enzymes involved in glucose and insulin metabolism. Low intakes of dietary magnesium may be linked to greater risk of metabolic syndrome (MS) in older adults.

Aim of the study

The objective of this study was to examine the cross-sectional relationship between dietary Mg intake, metabolic risk factors and MS in elderly adults.

Methods

This study was conducted in a sample of 535 (179 men and 356 women) community-living adults aged 60 years and in Boston Massachusetts between the years 1981 and 1984. Dietary Mg intake was assessed by a 3-day food record and categorized by quartiles of dietary intake. The MS was defined based on criteria set by the Third Report of the National Cholesterol Education Program except that body mass index was used in place of waist circumference. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the association between quartile categories of Mg intake, prevalence of MS and components of the MS. Models were adjusted for age, gender, BMI, race, educational attainment, marital status, smoking status, alcohol intake, exercise, energy intake, percentage of calories from saturated fat, use of antihypertensive or lipid medication.

Results

Mg intake was inversely associated with the MS; those with the highest intake of Mg had significantly lower risk of having MS compared to the lowest quartile of intake (OR: 0.36, 95% CI 0.19–0.69, P for trend 0.002). Significant inverse relationships were observed between Mg intake and BMI (OR: 0.47, 95% CI: 0.22–1.00, P trend = 0.03), and fasting glucose (OR: 0.41, 95% CI 0.22–0.77, P trend = 0.005).

Conclusion

Our study demonstrates that Mg intake is inversely associated with prevalence of the MS in older adults. Older adults should be encouraged to eat foods rich in Mg, such as green vegetables, legumes and whole-grains.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Nutritional Epidemiology Dept., Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition, Research Center on Aging, Tufts University, 711 Washington Street, Boston, MA, 02111, USA

    Nicola M. McKeown PhD & Paul F. Jacques ScD

  2. Department of Nutrition and Food Science, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA

    Xinli L. Zhang & Nadine R. Sahyoun PhD

  3. Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion, USDA, Arlington, VA, USA

    Wenyen Juan

Authors
  1. Nicola M. McKeown PhD
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  2. Paul F. Jacques ScD
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  3. Xinli L. Zhang
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  4. Wenyen Juan
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  5. Nadine R. Sahyoun PhD
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Nicola M. McKeown PhD.

Additional information

This material is based upon work supported by the US Department of Agriculture, under agreement No. 58-1950-7-707. Any opinions, findings, conclusion, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the US Dept of Agriculture.

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McKeown, N.M., Jacques, P.F., Zhang, X.L. et al. Dietary magnesium intake is related to metabolic syndrome in older Americans. Eur J Nutr 47, 210–216 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-008-0715-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-008-0715-x

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