Effect of Magnesium Supplementation on Inflammatory Parameters: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Nutrients
Q1
Feb 2022
Citations:62
Influential Citations:2
Systematic Reviews / Meta-Analyses
93
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Methods
Design: randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials; 17 RCTs included with parallel or crossover designs; oral Mg supplementation vs placebo. Participants: adults with metabolic disorders (diabetes, pre-diabetes, overweight/obesity) in 12 RCTs; pregnancy 1; cardiovascular 1; respiratory 2. Global distribution: Asia 6, Americas 8, Europe 3. Follow-up duration: 4–26 weeks. Total participants: Mg group 447; placebo group 442.
Intervention
Oral magnesium oxide, 250 mg daily (majority of studies); duration 4–26 weeks.
Results
Mg supplementation significantly reduces CRP levels (SMD -0.356; 95% CI -0.659 to -0.054; p=0.02) and increases NO levels (SMD 0.321; 95% CI 0.037 to 0.604; p=0.026). No consistent effects on IL-6, total antioxidant capacity, glutathione, or TNF-α; MDA effect borderline (SMD -0.604; 95% CI -1.224 to 0.017; p=0.057). Conclusion: Mg supplementation may lower inflammatory status and potentially benefit cardiovascular health, but findings are heterogeneous and based on small, diverse trials; more high-quality RCTs are needed to confirm and clarify effects across populations and doses.
Limitations
Small, short-duration RCTs; varied Mg doses and forms; high heterogeneity for CRP; several outcomes analyzed in fewer than three studies; dietary Mg intake not consistently assessed.

Abstract

Magnesium (Mg) may have several beneficial effects on human health outcomes. One hypothesized mechanism eliciting such effects is the action of Mg on serum inflammatory parameters. However, studies on this topic to date have several important limitat...