Association between magnesium intake and cognition in US older adults: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011 to 2014.
Level 4 - case-series / case-control
Cross-sectional observational analysis of survey data
PubMed 35128033 · doi:10.1002/trc2.12250
What was done
Analyzed cross-sectional data from 2,508 US adults aged 60 years and older from the 2011–2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Linear regression models examined the association between total magnesium intake and global cognitive z-scores after adjusting for demographics, energy and calcium intake, serum vitamin D levels, and other confounding factors.
What was found
Higher intake of total magnesium was independently associated with a 0.15 higher global cognitive z-score (95% confidence interval, 0.02 to 0.28 for the highest versus lowest quartile, P trend = .037). The positive association was primarily present among women, non-Hispanic Whites, and participants with sufficient serum vitamin D (>=50 nmol/L), though subgroup interaction tests were not statistically significant. Serum vitamin D alone had no clear linear association with global cognition.
Why it matters
This study provides population-level evidence linking higher dietary magnesium intake with better cognitive function in older adults, suggesting a potential modifiable target for cognitive health strategies.
Limits
The cross-sectional design prevents drawing causal inferences or determining directionality. Dietary intake assessments are subject to self-report and recall bias, and residual confounding from unmeasured lifestyle or socioeconomic variables cannot be excluded.
Cited by
- supports An observational study of over 2,500 mentally healthy older adults found that dietary magnesium intake over 407 mg/day was linked to better cognitive function in women.