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A study suggests that too little intake of magnesium may increase the risk of heart disease or coronary artery disease. In the study, researchers assessed the dietary intake of magnesium in nearly 3,000 men and women and surveyed their lifestyle information. The subjects were examined with CT scan on the chest to evaluate their coronary artery calcium levels. The TC scan was conducted at the start of the study and again 15 years later at the end of the study. Researchers found that the intake level of dietary magnesium was inversely related to the coronary artery calcium level. The coronary artery calcium level is an indicator of the risk of atherosclerosis. The results suggested that low magnesium can raise the risk of atherosclerosis. Previous research has already found that magnesium is important in the fat metabolism and low levels of magnesium are linked to a higher risk of atherosclerosis development. According to American Society for Nutritional Sciences, the National Academy of Sciences recommends that adult males should take 400 mg of magnesium (19-30 years) and 420 mg (old than 30 years) daily and adult females 310mg (19-30 years) and 320 mg (older than 30 years). Magnesium is found in many foods including dark green vegetables and legumes. A study was conducted by researchers from Northwestern University and presented on April 30 at the American Heart Association's annual conference on cardiovascular disease, epidemiology and prevention. |
