October 2012
Metabolic Syndrome and Depression Influenced by Magnesium Intake
In June 2012, a new study reported that magnesium intake is related to the risk of developing the metabolic syndrome and depression in older adults. The metabolic syndrome is a group of risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease and diabetes, including abdominal obesity, insulin resistance or glucose intolerance, elevated blood pressure, elevated triglycerides and decreased high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. Nearly one-third of American adults meet the criteria for the metabolic syndrome.
The subjects included 210 individuals with type 2 diabetes age 65 years or older. The researchers interviewed the subjects regarding dietary intake, lifestyle and depressive symptoms. The researchers also assessed measurements such as waist circumference, body fat percent and body mass index, as well as blood tests including magnesium, HDL cholesterol and triglycerides.
The investigators showed that 88.6 percent of the subjects had magnesium intakes less than the dietary reference intake, and 37.1 percent of the subjects had low blood magnesium levels. The researchers found that lower magnesium intake was associated with the metabolic syndrome and depression. The scientists also determined that higher magnesium intake correlated with higher HDL cholesterol.
Additionally, magnesium intake inversely correlated with triglycerides, waist circumference, body fat percent and body mass index. This means that as magnesium intake decreased, triglyceride levels, waist circumference, body fat percent and body mass index increased. The researchers showed that the likelihood of depression, increased waist circumference, body fat percentage and body mass index were significantly lower as magnesium intake increased. Furthermore, increased magnesium intake correlated with high physical activity levels.
The study authors stated, “The majority of elderly type 2 diabetes [patients] who have low magnesium intake may compound this deficiency with metabolic abnormalities and depression. Future studies should determine the effects of increased magnesium intake or magnesium supplementation on metabolic control and depression in elderly people with type 2 diabetes.”
Reference:
Huang JH, et al. Nutr J. 2012;1:41.
Source: Metabolic Syndrome and Depression Influenced by Magnesium Intake
