The relationship between magnesium deficiency and cardiovascular disease

Magnesium has a beneficial effect on many metabolic processes in the body. Serum magnesium levels are associated with increased risk of coronary heart disease, sudden cardiac death, atherosclerosis, and heart rate.

Magnesium is a nutritional element that plays a very important role in many metabolic processes in the body. Magnesium has the effect of replacing calcium in the process of transporting and mineralizing bone, integrating minerals, and has a similar function as an enzyme co-factor (understood as molecules that support the biochemical conversion process). in the body), helps to shape the action of hormones in the body.
Magnesium's effects are also demonstrated in the binding function, including DNA replication and protein synthesis. Magnesium is a very important catalyst in more than 350 enzymes of the body. The effect of magnesium is applied in regulating blood sugar and helping to prevent diabetes. Magnesium helps blood vessels become soft to transport blood throughout the body, thereby reducing blood pressure.
Magnesium also works to prevent excess calcium in the body, preventing arteries from hardening due to excess calcium. In addition, the addition of magnesium has the effect of reducing stress and anxiety. Recently, a study in the Netherlands showed that there is a special association between serum magnesium concentration and mortality from coronary heart disease and sudden cardiac death.

Kieboom et al at the Medical Center, University of Rotterdam, the Netherlands conducted a study on: how serum magnesium levels affect the risk of death from coronary heart disease and coronary heart disease. sudden death from heart disease.
The authors found that a 0.1 mmol/L increase in serum magnesium resulted in a significant reduction in the risk of coronary heart disease (hazard ratio 0.82). In contrast, hypomagnesemia (<0.80 mmol/L) was associated with an increased risk of death from coronary heart disease (hazard ratio 1.36) and sudden death. for heart disease (with a hazard ratio of 1.54).
Besides, decreased serum magnesium is also associated with subclinical signs of atherosclerosis and heart rate. This was independent of the risk of coronary heart disease and sudden cardiac death.

According to the recommendations of the National Institute of Nutrition (Vietnam), the daily magnesium requirement of the average person between the ages of 20 and 69 is as follows: men need 340-379 mg/day, women need enough. supplement enough 270-290 mg/day.
To supplement magnesium, in the diet, priority should be given to choosing foods rich in magnesium, such as seafood, freshwater fish, meats, dark green leafy vegetables, sesame seeds, beans, nuts, and seeds. and whole grains... In addition, it is possible to combine the use of appropriate magnesium supplements as prescribed by the doctor.
However, if you add too much, there is also a risk of muscle overload, especially when using antacids or laxatives that contain magnesium. For the elderly, it should be noted that taking a lot of magnesium by medicine will easily increase blood magnesium, causing some unwanted effects.

Reference source: National Institute of Nutrition; Vietnam National Society of Cardiology