Magnesium

Magnesium is an essential dietary mineral that is involved in energy production, nervous system function, blood pressure regulation, and blood glucose control. A lack of magnesium in the diet β€” which is common in modern societies β€” is associated with an increased risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and other health conditions.

Quick Answer

What it is

Magnesium is an essential dietary mineral that is involved in energy production, nervous system function, blood pressure regulation, and blood glucose control. A lack of magnesium in the diet β€” which is common in modern societies β€” is associated with an increased risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and other health conditions.

Key findings

  • Grade B: Blood Pressure
  • Grade B: Blood glucose (Type 2 Diabetes)
  • Grade B: Asthma Symptoms (Asthma)

Safety

  • A lack of magnesium in the diet β€” which is common in modern societies β€” is associated with an increased risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and other health conditions.
ℹ️ Quick Facts: Magnesium

Quick Facts: Magnesium

  • Best Evidence:Grade A
  • Conditions Studied:40
  • Research Outcomes:248
  • Grade B Findings:4
  • Key Effect:Constipation
Outcomes by grade:
A0
B4
C16
D12
40 conditions Β· 248 outcomes

Detailed Outcomes

Grade:
Effect:
Size:
Sort:
|
B
Blood Pressure
Moderate Improvement
moderate↓Improves
D
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
No effect
25 studies
none
?
Triglycerides
↓Improves
?
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
20 studies
↓Improves
?
Serum Magnesium
↑Improves
?
Magnesium Excretion
2 studies
↑Improves
?
Vascular Function
2 studies
↑Improves
?
Osteocalcin
↑Improves
B
Blood glucose
Small Improvement
small↓Improves
?
HbA1c
7 studies
↓Improves
?
Insulin
4 studies
↑Worsens
?
Insulin Resistance
↓Improves
?
Blood Pressure
↓Improves
?
Serum Magnesium
↑Improves
?
Triglycerides
↓Improves
?
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
2 studies
↑Improves
?
Glycemic Control
1 study
↑Improves
?
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
1 study
↓Improves
?
Magnesium Excretion
1 study
↑Improves
?
Total cholesterol
1 study
↓Improves
?
Weight
1 study
↓Improves
B
Asthma Symptoms
Small Improvement
small↓Improves
?
C-Reactive Protein (CRP)
↓Improves
B
Blood glucose
Small Improvement
small↓Improves
?
Blood Pressure
↓Improves
?
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
2 studies
↑Improves
?
Triglycerides
↓Improves
?
Weight
2 studies
↓Improves
?
Glycemic Control
1 study
↑Improves
?
HbA1c
1 study
↓Improves
?
Insulin
1 study
↑Worsens
?
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
1 study
↓Improves
?
Serum Magnesium
↑Improves
?
Total cholesterol
1 study
↓Improves
C
Blood glucose
Small Improvement
small↓Improves
?
C-Reactive Protein (CRP)
↓Improves
?
Serum Magnesium
↑Improves
?
Insulin
4 studies
↑Worsens
?
Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC)
4 studies
↑Improves
?
Blood Pressure
↓Improves
?
Glutathione (GSH)
3 studies
↑Improves
?
Glycemic Control
3 studies
↑Improves
?
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
3 studies
↑Improves
?
Interleukin 6
3 studies
↓Improves
?
Nitric Oxide
3 studies
↑Improves
?
Oxidative Stress Biomarkers
3 studies
↓Improves
?
TNF-Alpha
3 studies
↓Improves
?
Triglycerides
↓Improves
?
Weight
3 studies
↓Improves
?
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
2 studies
↓Improves
?
Total cholesterol
2 studies
↓Improves
?
Cortisol
↓Improves
?
Insulin Resistance
↓Improves
C
Anxiety Symptoms
Small Improvement
1 study
small↓Improves
?
PMS Symptoms
↓Improves
?
Depression Symptoms
↓Improves
C
C-Reactive Protein (CRP)
Small Decrease
small↓Improves
?
Depression Symptoms
↓Improves
?
Serum BDNF
2 studies
↑Improves
?
Serum Magnesium
↑Improves
?
Interleukin 6
1 study
↓Improves
?
TNF-Alpha
1 study
↓Improves
C
Blood glucose
Small Improvement
small↓Improves
?
Blood Pressure
↓Improves
?
Diabetic Neuropathy Symptoms
↓Improves
?
HbA1c
1 study
↓Improves
?
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
1 study
↑Improves
?
LDL Oxidation
↓Improves
?
Triglycerides
↓Improves
?
Weight
1 study
↓Improves
C
Bone Mineral Density
Small Improvement
small↑Improves
?
Osteocalcin
↑Improves
C
Blood glucose
Small Improvement
small↓Improves
?
C-Reactive Protein (CRP)
↓Improves
?
Interleukin 6
2 studies
↓Improves
?
TNF-Alpha
2 studies
↓Improves
?
Blood Pressure
↓Improves
?
HbA1c
1 study
↓Improves
?
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
1 study
↑Improves
?
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
1 study
↓Improves
?
Serum Magnesium
↑Improves
?
Total cholesterol
1 study
↓Improves
?
Triglycerides
↓Improves
C
Blood glucose
Small Improvement
small↓Improves
?
Blood Pressure
↓Improves
?
Cortisol
↓Improves
?
Glycemic Control
1 study
↑Improves
?
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
1 study
↑Improves
?
Insulin
1 study
↑Worsens
?
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
1 study
↓Improves
?
Serum Magnesium
↑Improves
?
Total cholesterol
1 study
↓Improves
?
Triglycerides
↓Improves
?
Weight
1 study
↓Improves
C
C-Reactive Protein (CRP)
Small Decrease
small↓Improves
?
Sleep Quality
↑Improves
?
Serum Magnesium
↑Improves
C
Aerobic Exercise Metrics
Moderate Improvement
1 study
moderate↑Improves
?
Blood glucose
↓Improves
?
Insulin
1 study
↑Worsens
?
Muscle Oxygenation
↑Improves
?
Strength
↑Improves
C
C-Reactive Protein (CRP)
Small Decrease
small↓Improves
?
Homocysteine
1 study
↓Improves
?
Serum Magnesium
↑Improves
C
Blood glucose
Small Improvement
small↓Improves
?
Insulin
1 study
↑Worsens
?
Insulin Resistance
↓Improves
C
Aerobic Exercise Metrics
Moderate Improvement
1 study
moderate↑Improves
?
Blood glucose
↓Improves
?
Insulin
1 study
↑Worsens
?
Muscle Oxygenation
↑Improves
C
Aerobic Exercise Metrics
Moderate Improvement
1 study
moderate↑Improves
?
Blood glucose
↓Improves
?
Insulin
1 study
↑Worsens
?
Muscle Oxygenation
↑Improves
C
Blood glucose
Small Improvement
small↓Improves
?
Blood Pressure
↓Improves
?
C-Reactive Protein (CRP)
↓Improves
?
HbA1c
1 study
↓Improves
?
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
1 study
↑Improves
?
Insulin
1 study
↑Worsens
?
Insulin Resistance
↓Improves
?
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
1 study
↓Improves
?
Total cholesterol
1 study
↓Improves
?
Triglycerides
↓Improves
?
Uric Acid
1 study
↓Improves
C
Aerobic Exercise Metrics
Moderate Improvement
1 study
moderate↑Improves
?
Blood glucose
↓Improves
?
Insulin
1 study
↑Worsens
?
Muscle Oxygenation
↑Improves
C
Aerobic Exercise Metrics
Moderate Improvement
1 study
moderate↑Improves
?
Blood glucose
↓Improves
?
Insulin
1 study
↑Worsens
?
Muscle Oxygenation
↑Improves
D
All-Cause Mortality
No effect
11 studies
none
?
Atrial Fibrillation Incidence
↑Worsens
?
Length of hospitalization
8 studies
↓Improves
D
Arterial Stiffness
No effect
2 studies
none
?
Vascular Function
5 studies
↑Improves
?
Blood Pressure
↓Improves
?
Combined Anxiety & Depression
1 study
↓Improves
?
Serum Magnesium
↑Improves
?
Sleep Quality
↑Improves
D
Cramps
No effect
none
?
Infant Birth Weight
5 studies
↓Improves
?
Infant Death Risk
↓Improves
?
Pre-Eclampsia Risk
↑Worsens
?
Pregnancy Complications
↑Improves
D
Acne Symptoms
No effect
1 study
none
?
Blood glucose
↓Improves
?
Body Mass Index (BMI)
3 studies
↓Improves
?
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
3 studies
↑Improves
?
Insulin
3 studies
↑Worsens
?
Insulin Resistance
↓Improves
?
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
3 studies
↓Improves
?
Testosterone
↑Improves
?
Total cholesterol
3 studies
↓Improves
?
Triglycerides
↓Improves
?
Waist circumference
3 studies
↓Improves
?
Weight
3 studies
↓Improves
?
Blood Pressure
↓Improves
?
Serum Magnesium
↑Improves
?
Sex Hormone Binding Globulin
2 studies
↑Improves
?
C-Reactive Protein (CRP)
↓Improves
?
Hair Regrowth
1 study
↑Improves
?
Luteinizing Hormone
1 study
↑Improves
?
Oxidative Stress Biomarkers
1 study
↓Improves
?
Progesterone
1 study
↑Improves
?
Quality of Life
↑Improves
?
Serum DHEA
1 study
↑Improves
?
Sleep Quality
↑Improves
?
TNF-Alpha
1 study
↓Improves
?
Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC)
1 study
↑Improves
D
Cramps
No effect
none
?
Migraine Severity
↓Improves
?
Migraine Frequency
3 studies
↓Improves
?
Migraine Duration
2 studies
↓Improves
?
Pre-Eclampsia Risk
↑Worsens
D
Cortisol
No effect
none
?
Creatine Kinase
↑Worsens
?
Muscle Soreness
↓Improves
?
Creatinine
1 study
↑Improves
?
Exercise Recovery
1 study
↑Improves
?
Hematocrit
1 study
↑Improves
?
Hemoglobin
1 study
↑Improves
?
Interleukin 6
1 study
↓Improves
?
Lactate Dehydrogenase
1 study
↑Improves
?
Muscular Endurance
1 study
↑Improves
?
Myoglobin
1 study
↑Improves
?
Power Output
1 study
↑Improves
?
Rating of Perceived Exertion
1 study
↑Improves
?
Testosterone
↑Improves
D
Insomnia Signs and Symptoms
No effect
1 study
none
?
Serum Magnesium
↑Improves
?
Sleep Duration
↑Improves
?
Sleep Latency
2 studies
↓Improves
?
Restless Leg Syndrome Symptoms
1 study
↓Improves
?
Sleep Disturbance Signs and Symptoms
1 study
↓Improves
?
Sleep Efficiency
1 study
↑Improves
?
Sleep Quality
↑Improves
D
Arterial Stiffness
No effect
1 study
none
?
Fatigue Symptoms
1 study
↓Improves
?
Fibromyalgia Symptoms
↓Improves
?
Pain
↓Improves
?
Quality of Life
↑Improves
?
Serum Magnesium
↑Improves
?
Sleep Quality
↑Improves
?
Stress Signs and Symptoms
↓Improves
D
Bilirubin
No effect
1 study
none
?
Blood glucose
↓Improves
?
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
1 study
↑Improves
?
Homocysteine
1 study
↓Improves
?
Kidney Function
1 study
↑Improves
?
Lactate Dehydrogenase
1 study
↑Improves
?
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
1 study
↓Improves
?
Osteocalcin
↑Improves
?
Parathyroid Hormone
1 study
↑Improves
?
Plasma Vitamin D
1 study
↑Improves
?
Serum Albumin
1 study
↑Improves
?
Total cholesterol
1 study
↓Improves
?
Transferrin
↑Improves
?
Triglycerides
↓Improves
?
Urea
1 study
↑Improves
?
Uric Acid
1 study
↓Improves
D
Hematocrit
No effect
1 study
none
?
Hemoglobin
1 study
↑Improves
?
Total Iron Binding Capacity
1 study
↑Improves
?
Transferrin
↑Improves
D
Insomnia Signs and Symptoms
No effect
1 study
none
?
Restless Leg Syndrome Symptoms
1 study
↓Improves
?
Serum Magnesium
↑Improves
?
Sleep Disturbance Signs and Symptoms
1 study
↓Improves
?
Sleep Duration
↑Improves
?
Sleep Efficiency
1 study
↑Improves
?
Sleep Latency
1 study
↓Improves
?
Sleep Quality
↑Improves
?
Pre-Eclampsia Risk
↑Worsens
?
Cramps
↓Improves
?
Constipation Signs and Symptoms
↓Improves
?
ADHD Symptoms
↓Improves
?
Strength
↑Improves
?
Testosterone
↑Improves
?
Strength
↑Improves
?
Pain
↓Improves
?
Stress Signs and Symptoms
↓Improves
?
Tinnitus Symptoms
↓Improves
?
Strength
↑Improves

Evidence by Condition

Best grade per condition (each condition may have multiple outcomes)

AConstipation
1
↓Constipation Signs and SymptomsImproves
BAtrial Fibrillation
2
All-Cause Mortality↑Atrial Fibrillation IncidenceWorsens↓Length of hospitalizationImproves
BType 2 Diabetes
1
↓Blood glucoseImproves↓HbA1cImproves↑InsulinWorsens
BHigh Blood Pressure
1
↓Blood glucoseImproves↓Blood PressureImproves↑High-density lipoprotein (HDL)Improves
BAsthma
1
↓Asthma SymptomsImproves↓C-Reactive Protein (CRP)Improves
CRestless Leg Syndrome
2
Insomnia Signs and Symptoms↓Restless Leg Syndrome SymptomsImproves↑Serum MagnesiumImproves
CMetabolic Health
1
↓Blood glucoseImproves↓C-Reactive Protein (CRP)Improves↑Serum MagnesiumImproves
CPremenstrual Syndrome (PMS)
1
↓Anxiety SymptomsImproves↓PMS SymptomsImproves↓Depression SymptomsImproves
CDepression
1
↓C-Reactive Protein (CRP)Improves↓Depression SymptomsImproves↑Serum BDNFImproves
CType 1 Diabetes
1
↓Blood glucoseImproves↓Blood PressureImproves↓Diabetic Neuropathy SymptomsImproves
CBone Health
1
↑Bone Mineral DensityImproves↑OsteocalcinImproves
CMetabolic Syndrome
1
↓Blood glucoseImproves↓C-Reactive Protein (CRP)Improves↓Interleukin 6Improves
COverweight
1
↓Blood glucoseImproves↓Blood PressureImproves↓CortisolImproves
CSleep Health
1
↓C-Reactive Protein (CRP)Improves↑Sleep QualityImproves↑Serum MagnesiumImproves
CGeneral Athletic Performance
1
↑Aerobic Exercise MetricsImproves↓Blood glucoseImproves↑InsulinWorsens
CCoronary Artery Disease (CAD)
1
↓C-Reactive Protein (CRP)Improves↓HomocysteineImproves↑Serum MagnesiumImproves
CRheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
1
↓Blood glucoseImproves↑InsulinWorsens↓Insulin ResistanceImproves
CAerobic Exercise Performance
1
↑Aerobic Exercise MetricsImproves↓Blood glucoseImproves↑InsulinWorsens
CCycling Performance
1
↑Aerobic Exercise MetricsImproves↓Blood glucoseImproves↑InsulinWorsens
CPrediabetes
1
↓Blood glucoseImproves↓Blood PressureImproves↓C-Reactive Protein (CRP)Improves

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