Magnesium and High Blood Pressure

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Magnesium and High Blood Pressure

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4/3/2012

Carolyn Dean, MD, ND

 

 

Research suggests magnesium supplementation modestlyreduces blood pressure

 

Reference

Kass L, Weekes J, Carpenter L. Effect of magnesium supplementation on

bloodpressure: a meta-analysis. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2012 Feb 8.

doi:10.1038/ejcn.2012.4. [Epub ahead of print]

Design

Meta-analysis. Of the 141 papers identified, only 22 trials with 23 sets ofdata

(N=1,173), with 3 to 24 weeks of follow-up met the inclusion criteria,with a

supplemented elemental magnesium range of 120–973 mg (mean dose 410 mg).

KeyFindings

There was greater blood pressure reduction in crossover trials, which meanswhen

people with high blood pressure were not on magnesium, their bloodpressure was

higher; when they were on magnesium their blood pressure waslower. Also, the

higher the magnesium dosage, the lower the blood pressure.Combining all trials

showed a decrease in systolic blood pressure (SBP) of 3–4mmHg and diastolic

blood pressure (DBP) of 2–3 mmHg, which further increasedwith

crossover-designed trials and intake & gt;370 mg/day. The authors concludedthat

magnesium supplementation appears to achieve a small but clinicallysignificant

reduction in BP. They called for more studies.

PracticeImplications

The main take-home message from this meta-analysis is that magnesium doesreduce

blood pressure.

We have to remember that meta-analysis homogenizes all available informationinto

a big blender and comes out with a number that is not necessarily thefinal

answer to the study’s question. In the words of the authors,

**Thismeta-analysis was conducted to assess the effect of magnesium

supplementationon [blood pressure] and to establish the characteristics of

trials showing thelargest effect size.â€

The authors found that the higher theamount of magnesium, over 370 mg/day, the

greater the reduction in BP. Noneof the 22 studies chosen calculatedthe dietary

intake of the subjects. The subjects were from 12 differentcountries, so we have

no way of knowing if any of them were magnesium-deficientto begin with. There

are many other variables in such an analysis, but in spiteof all the drawbacks

we should remember the conclusion and build on thatresult.

For example, clinically a dose of 370 mg of elemental magnesium is barely atthe

RDA, a level that prevents clinical magnesium deficiency symptoms.Magnesium

given therapeutically is usually at a higher dose.

 

From this study you will be able to tell your patientsthat magnesium has been

proven in numerous clinical trials to cause lowering ofthe blood pressure.

In the Magnesium Miracle I wrote, **Twenty-five years of research shows

thatunder ideal conditions approximately 300 mg of magnesium is required merely

tooffset the daily losses. Since at best the body is actually absorbing only

halfof what is taken in, researchers feel that most people would benefit

frommagnesium supplementation. Otherwise, body tissue must be broken down to

supplyvital areas of the body with essential magnesium.1,2

**If you are under mild to moderate stress caused by a physical or

psychologicaldisease, physical injury, athletic exertion, or emotional upheaval,

yourrequirements for magnesium increase from 6 mg/kg/day up to 10

mg/kg/day.3,4Exposure to fluoride in water or dental products,5 a high

proteindiet,6 alcohol,7,8 high doses of Vitamin D,9 and B1210increase the demand

for magnesium. An average good diet may supply about 120 mgof magnesium per

1,000 calories, for an estimated daily intake of about 250mg.**11,12

From this study you will be able to tell your patients that magnesium has been

proven in numerousclinical trials to cause lowering of the blood pressure. And

long withother lifestyle interventions, diet changes, and supplements, patients

canoften avoid antihypertensive medications, which can, themselves,

causemagnesium deficiency.

References

1. Glei M et al. Magnesium content of foodstuffs and beverages and

magnesiumintake of adults in Germany.Magnes Bull. 1995;17:22-28.  

2. Cashman KD, Flynn A. Optimal nutrition: calcium,magnesium, and phosphorous.

Proc Nutr Soc. 1999;58(2):477-487.

3. Seelig MS. The requirement of magnesium by the normaladult. Am J Clin Nutr.

1964;14:342-390.

4. Seelig MS. Magnesium requirements in human nutrition. MagnesBull.

1981;3(1A):26-47.

5. Machoy-Mokrzynska, A. Fluoride-Magnesium Interaction.

Fluoride.1995;28(4):175-177.

6. Seelig M.S. Magnesium requirements in human nutrition. MagnesBull.

1981:3(suppl 1A).  

7. Altura BM, Zhang A, Cheng TP, Altura BT. Extracellularmagnesium regulates

nuclear and perinuclear free ionized calcium in cerebralvascular smooth muscle

cells: possible relation to alcohol and central nervoussystem injury. Alcohol.

2001;23(2):83-90.  

8. Ema M, Gebrewold A, Altura BT, Zhang A, Altura BM.Alcohol-induced vascular

damage of brain is ameliorated by administration ofmagnesium. Alcohol.

1998;15(2):95-103.  

9. Rude RK, JS, Ryzen E, et al. Low serumconcentrations of

1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D in human magnesium deficiency. JClin Endocrinol Metab.

1985;61:883-940.

10. Li W, Zheng T, Wang J, Altura BT, Altura BM.“Extracellular magnesium

regulates effects of vitamin B6, B12 and folate onhomocysteinemia-induced

depletion of intracellular free magnesium ions incanine cerebral vascular smooth

muscle cells: possible relationship to [Ca2+]i,atherogenesis and stroke.â€

Neurosci Lett. 1999;274(2):83-86.

11. Seelig MS. The requirement of magnesium by the normaladult. Am J Clin Nutr.

1964;14:242-290.

12. Seelig MS. Magnesium requirements in human nutrition. MagnesBull.

1981;3(1A):26-47.