Oral magnesium supplementation in adults with coronary heart disease or coronary heart disease risk.
OBJECTIVE
To review randomized control clinical trial (RCT) literature and prospective studies for the safety and efficacy of magnesium supplements in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) or with CHD risk.


METHODS
Databases were searched using the keywords: magnesium, heart disease, endothelium, prevention, treatment, therapy, level, and supplement.


CONCLUSIONS
There were no reports of adverse effects from magnesium supplementation in any of the studies. Subjects reporting lower dietary magnesium intake had significantly lower serum magnesium concentrations than those reporting higher dietary magnesium intake and, in some cases, had a significantly higher frequency of supraventricular beats. There was a modest relationship between dietary magnesium intake and a reduced risk of CHD in male subjects; however, there was no noted decrease in the development of CHD disease in women who had high magnesium intake.


CONCLUSIONS
Magnesium is vital for many functions in the body and magnesium supplementation is safe. There is a possible association between a modestly lower risk of CHD in men and increased magnesium intake; therefore, it is reasonable to encourage diets high in magnesium as a potential means to lower the risk of CHD.
Mathers
Tavia W
TW
Brigham Young University, Utah County Surgical Associates, Provo, Utah 84604, USA.
Beckstrand
Renea L
RL
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004032:Diet; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008274:Magnesium / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D008275:Magnesium Deficiency / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D018673:Nutrition Policy; D009751:Nutritional Requirements; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D018570:Risk Assessment; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D012449:Safety; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
D008274:Magnesium