Dose-Response Relationship between Dietary Magnesium Intake and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review and Meta-Regression Analysis of Prospective Cohort Studies
Fang et al. • Nutrients
Key Finding
Per 100 mg/day increment in magnesium intake: 8-13% reduction in T2D incidence (RR = 0.88-0.92, 95% CI)
Key Findings
- 1Per 100 mg/day magnesium: 8-13% T2D risk reduction
- 219% risk reduction in women, 16% in men
- 3Linear dose-response relationship confirmed
- 425 prospective cohorts, N=637,922
Original title: “Dose-response relationship between dietary magnesium intake and risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus: a systematic review and meta-regression analysis”
Plain English Summary
Meta-analysis of 25 prospective cohort studies comprising 637,922 individuals found a statistically significant linear dose-response relationship between magnesium intake and reduced type 2 diabetes risk. Higher magnesium consumption reduced T2D risk by 19% in women and 16% in men.
In-Depth Analysis
Abstract
"Compared with the lowest dietary magnesium consumption groups in the populations, the risk of T2D could be reduced by 19% in women and 16% in men."
Methods
- •Design: Systematic review and meta-regression analysis
- •Sample: 25 prospective cohort studies, 637,922 individuals, 26,828 T2D cases
- •Geographic Coverage: US (16 studies), Europe (2), Asia (7)
Key Results
Overall Finding
"A statistically significant linear dose-response relationship was found between incremental magnesium intake and T2D risk"
Risk Reduction
- •Per 100 mg/day increment: 8-13% reduction in T2D incidence (RR = 0.88-0.92, 95% CI)
- •By Region: Largest effect in US population (18% reduction)
- •Dose-Response: No evidence of nonlinear associations
Conclusions
"Dietary magnesium intake is associated with a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes."
Paradigm Relevance
How this study applies to different clinical perspectives:
Standard Medical
RelevantConventional clinical guidelines used by most doctors
Why it matters:
Quantifies diabetes risk reduction with higher magnesium intake for clinical guidance.
Research Consensus
RelevantCurrent scientific understanding, often ahead of guidelines
Why it matters:
Establishes clear dose-response: each 100 mg/day reduces risk 8-13%.
Metabolic Optimization
RelevantProactive targets for optimal health, not just disease absence
Why it matters:
Supports magnesium optimization as part of diabetes prevention strategy.
Study Details
- Type
- Meta-Analysis
- Methodology
- Systematic review and meta-regression analysis of 25 prospective cohort studies; N = 637,922 individuals with 26,828 T2D cases; studies from US (16), Europe (2), Asia (7)
Evidence Quality
Grade A - Large meta-analysis of prospective cohorts. Source: PMC5133122
Related Biomarkers
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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.
Related Studies
Subclinical magnesium deficiency: a principal driver of cardiovascular disease and a public health crisis
DiNicolantonio et al. • Open Heart • 2018
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
Challenges in the Diagnosis of Magnesium Status
Workinger et al. • Nutrients • 2018
Blood magnesium represents only 0.8% of total body stores; 45% of Americans are magnesium deficient; 60% of adults do not reach recommended intake levels
Perspective: The Case for an Evidence-Based Reference Interval for Serum Magnesium: The Time Has Come
Costello et al. • Advances in Nutrition • 2016
Proposed optimal threshold: ≥0.85 mmol/L (vs current 0.75 mmol/L); CVD risk increases at <0.75-0.85 mmol/L; T2D risk elevated at <0.74 mmol/L