Magnesium plays a role in a number of chronic, disease-related conditions.
This article reviews current pertinent literature on magnesium, focusing on
hypertension and cardiovascular diseases and implications for relationships
with diabetes and metabolic syndrome. A major role for magnesium is in the
regulation of blood pressure. While data are not entirely consistent, it does
appear that an inverse relationship between magnesium intake and blood
pressure is strongest for magnesium obtained from food rather than that
obtained via supplements. Hypertension associated with preeclampsia appears to
be alleviated when magnesium is administered; in addition, women with adequate
intakes of magnesium are less likely to be affected by preeclampsia than those
with an inadequate intake. A role for magnesium in other cardiovascular
diseases has been noted in that increased magnesium intake may improve serum
lipid profiles. Dietary magnesium is also recommended to aid in the prevention
of stroke and is important for skeletal growth and development. Magnesium may
also play a role in the development of diabetes mellitus, obesity, and
metabolic syndrome. There are data from some studies, such as the DASH and
PREMIER studies, that suggest that lifestyle changes (including adequate
magnesium intake) can benefit blood pressure control, promote weight loss, and
improve chronic disease risk.
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