Subclinical magnesium deficiency: a principal driver of cardiovascular disease and a public health crisis
DiNicolantonio et al. • Open Heart
Key Finding
10-30% of populations have subclinical deficiency (<0.80 mmol/L); 48-50% US consumes below RDA; serum reflects <1% of body stores; linked to hypertension, arrhythmias, atherosclerosis, heart failure
Key Findings
- 1Serum reflects <1% of body Mg; >99% intracellular - poor diagnostic marker
- 210-30% of populations have subclinical deficiency (<0.80 mmol/L)
- 348-50% of US population consumes below recommended Mg intake
- 4Deficiency linked to hypertension, arrhythmias, atherosclerosis, MI, stroke
Original title: “Subclinical magnesium deficiency: a principal driver of cardiovascular disease and a public health crisis”
Plain English Summary
Review arguing subclinical magnesium deficiency is underdiagnosed public health crisis. Serum Mg reflects <1% of body stores. 10-30% have subclinical deficiency; 48% US population consumes below RDA.
In-Depth Analysis
Study Details
Authors: James J DiNicolantonio, James H O'Keefe, William Wilson
Institution: Saint Luke's Mid America Heart Institute
Journal: Open Heart, 2018 Jan; 5(1):e000668
PMCID: PMC5786912
Key Points (from original paper)
Diagnostic Challenge
Serum magnesium doesn't reflect intracellular magnesium, which comprises >99% of total body stores. Most deficiency goes undiagnosed.
Prevalence Statistics
- •10-30% of populations: subclinical deficiency (<0.80 mmol/L)
- •36.3-31% of Mexican females/males: low serum Mg
- •42% of Brazilian university students: subnormal status
- •84% of postmenopausal women with osteoporosis: deficient
- •48% of US population: consumes below recommended amounts
- •50% of Americans: below Estimated Average Requirement
Cardiovascular Manifestations
Mg deficiency associated with:
- •Hypertension
- •Arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death
- •Atherosclerosis and calcifications
- •Heart failure
- •Myocardial infarction
- •Stroke
- •Increased thrombosis risk
Public Health Crisis
"Subclinical magnesium deficiency substantially increases cardiovascular disease risk and represents a public health crisis."
Source: PMC full text (PMC5786912)
Paradigm Relevance
How this study applies to different clinical perspectives:
Standard Medical
RelevantConventional clinical guidelines used by most doctors
Why it matters:
Identifies limitations of current reference ranges for detecting subclinical deficiency.
Research Consensus
RelevantCurrent scientific understanding, often ahead of guidelines
Why it matters:
Provides evidence that serum below 0.80 mmol/L indicates likely tissue depletion.
Metabolic Optimization
RelevantProactive targets for optimal health, not just disease absence
Why it matters:
Supports routine magnesium optimization for cardiovascular and metabolic health.
Study Details
- Type
- Review Article
- Methodology
- Review article examining magnesium deficiency prevalence, diagnostic challenges, and cardiovascular disease associations.
Evidence Quality
Review from PMC5786912. Saint Luke's Mid America Heart Institute.
Related Biomarkers
Calculate & Evaluate on Metabolicum
Original Source
DOI (Digital Object Identifier) is a permanent link to this publication. Unlike website URLs that can change, a DOI always resolves to the correct source.
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