Magnesium, vitamin D status and mortality: results from US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2001 to 2006 and NHANES III.
Level 3 - non-randomized controlled study
Prospective cohort analysis (NHANES III mortality linkage) combined with cross-sectional survey analysis (NHANES 2001-2006).
PubMed 23981518 · doi:10.1186/1741-7015-11-187
What was done
Researchers evaluated the relationship between magnesium intake, serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) status, and mortality using data from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Cross-sectional data from NHANES 2001–2006 were used to examine associations and interactions between magnesium intake (total, dietary, supplemental) and vitamin D intake on vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency. Prospective cohort data from NHANES III, linked to the National Death Index, were used to examine whether magnesium intake modified the association between serum 25(OH)D and mortality (including cardiovascular disease and colorectal cancer).
What was found
The abstract reports directional findings without providing exact numerical risk estimates, odds ratios, hazard ratios, or confidence intervals. High intake of total, dietary, or supplemental magnesium was independently associated with significantly reduced risks of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency. Magnesium intake significantly interacted with vitamin D intake regarding deficiency and insufficiency risk, with the inverse association between total magnesium and insufficiency occurring primarily in populations at high risk of deficiency. Furthermore, the inverse associations of serum 25(OH)D with mortality (particularly cardiovascular disease and colorectal cancer) were modified by magnesium intake and were primarily present among individuals with magnesium intake above the median.
Why it matters
This study suggests that adequate magnesium intake may be an essential cofactor for vitamin D metabolism and that its presence may modify the relationship between vitamin D status and mortality outcomes.
Limits
The abstract reports no exact sample sizes, numerical effect sizes, confidence intervals, or p-values. As an observational analysis relying on survey data, it cannot establish causality and remains susceptible to confounding, measurement error in dietary assessment, and healthy lifestyle biases.
Cited by
- supports The reduction in mortality risk (especially from cardiovascular disease and colorectal cancer) associated with higher vitamin D levels is significantly greater in individuals with above-average magnesium intake.