Magnesium Plays a Role in Managing Inflammation

by Irfan Qureshi, ND

Magnesium is an essential component for more than 300 metabolic reactions in the body. Magnesium is involved in energy production and DNA synthesis and plays crucial roles in bone and structural health. It also aids in supporting healthy muscles, and plays a major role in managing inflammation. Recent interest in the concept of inflammation as a cause or contributor to health issues has shifted the focus to magnesium. Magnesium deficiency is common in the general population, and can lead to a number of health concerns. Several studies suggest that deficiencies of magnesium can lead to an increase in inflammation, thus impacting the efficiency of the body’s biological processes.

A paper published in 2009 in the journal Magnesium Research found that magnesium intake is inversely associated with levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), an important inflammatory marker associated with cardiovascular health. This makes sense when one thinks about the benefits of magnesium intake for cardiovascular wellness.

The paper’s author, Dana King from the Medical University of South Carolina, states that magnesium plays a key role in modulating the inflammatory process. The link between magnesium deficiency, inflammation and cardiovascular issues is further highlighted in a paper by Jay Kramer and colleagues. Their research emphasizes the prevalence of magnesium deficiency in a number of issues that can affect biological processes of the body. It also describes a cascade of events initiated by magnesium deficiency, including widespread inflammation that ultimately can cause concerns for long-term heart health. Magnesium deficiency also increases the susceptibility of various organs to oxidative stress.

Imbalanced inflammation due to magnesium deficiency can further manifest in other areas of the body. An interesting Brazilian study published in February 2009 found that magnesium deficiency contributes to metabolic syndrome and plays a role in suboptimal insulin efficiency.

Researchers found that serum magnesium levels were inversely correlated to BMI, systolic blood pressure and waist circumference in individuals with metabolic syndrome, all factors for cardiovascular health concerns. Further research conducted at the University of Minnesota by Tetsuya Ohira and colleagues found that higher magnesium levels were predictors of optimal blood pressure and insulin levels in a cohort of more than 14,000 middle-aged men and women.

Taken together, this research suggests increasing magnesium intake is protective of cardiovascular wellness, and may help balance the overall inflammatory response, supporting overall health and well being.