Inadequate magnesium intake is associated with heart disease risk

Current dietary guidelines recommend a minimum magnesium intake of 310-420 mg per day to maintain health and reduce cardiovascular risk. Recent evidence from both clinical and animal studies suggest that magnesium may be associated with inflammatory processes. In a recent study published in the June volume of the Journal of the American College of Nutrition, researchers determined that dietary magnesium consumption is associated with C-reactive protein (CRP), a marker of inflammation. Participants included a large nationally representative sample of U.S. adults.

Among the U.S. adults, 68% consumed less than the recommended daily allowance (RDA) of magnesium, and 19% consumed less than 50% of the RDA. Adults who consumed less than the RDA of magnesium were 1.48-1.75 times more likely to have elevated CRP than adults who consumed greater levels than the RDA. Overweight adults over age 40 consuming less than 50% RDA for magnesium were 2.24 times more likely to have elevated CRP than adults getting more than the RDA.

Most Americans consume magnesium at levels below the RDA. Since individuals with intakes below the RDA are more likely to have elevated CRP, inadequate intakes of magnesium may contribute to cardiovascular disease risk.