title: High magnesium or potassium hair accumulation is not associated with ischemic stroke risk reduction: a pilot study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Various studies suggest that deficiency of magnesium and potassium may be associated with increased risk of ischemic stroke. However, single time-point serum measurements may not be suitable for assessing long-term tissue levels.
  
  
  METHODS
  We investigated Mg and K levels in hair of patients with acute ischemic stroke. The elements hair accumulation analysis might provide historical information on their concentrations over a longer period of time and probably reflects the corresponding nutritional condition. The concentrations of Mg and K in hair of 48 men with acute ischemic stroke and a control group were measured using spectroscopic methods.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean Mg and K concentrations in hair of patients were significantly higher than in the controls.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This analysis does not seem to confirm the results of the previous studies suggesting that Mg or K high levels (or their diet supplementation) might protect humans against ischemic stroke.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology of Adults, Medical University of Gdansk, Ul. Debinki 7, 80-211 Gdansk, Poland. bartkar@wp.pl
authors.forename: Bartosz
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Karaszewski
authors.forename: Grzegorz
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kozera
authors.forename: Agnieszka
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dorosz
authors.forename: Jerzy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Łukasiak
authors.forename: Sebastian
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Szczyrba
authors.forename: Wiesława
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Łysiak-Szydłowska
authors.forename: Walenty M
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Nyka
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D006197:Hair / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008274:Magnesium / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011188:Potassium / Q000378:metabolism*; D012307:Risk Factors; D013057:Spectrum Analysis; D020521:Stroke / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D008274:Magnesium; D011188:Potassium