Magnesium may Ward off Metabolic Syndrome

(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Eating foods rich in magnesium may help prevent metabolic syndrome, report researchers who followed a large group of people over 15 years.

They found those who consumed the most magnesium had about a 31-percent reduced risk of developing the condition than those who consumed the least.

Researchers say metabolic syndrome is a collection of conditions, including high blood pressure, high triglycerides, lower levels of HDL, or good cholesterol, higher waist circumference, and higher than normal blood sugar. People with metabolic syndrome are at significant risk for heart disease and diabetes.

This study was carried out among more than 4,600 people between ages 18 and 30 when the study began in the mid-1980s. Researchers divided the participants into four groups according to their consumption of magnesium. By the 15-year follow up, 188 people in the group consuming the least amount of the nutrient had developed metabolic syndrome, compared with just 117 of those in the group consuming the most.

While stopping short of recommending magnesium for the prevention of metabolic syndrome, study authors believe these results deserve further study. "Will higher magnesium intake prevent people from developing metabolic syndrome, which leads to diabetes and coronary heart disease? Further studies, particularly well-designed randomized trials, are warranted."

Magnesium-rich foods include halibut, dry roasted almonds and cashews, whole-grain cereals, long-grain brown rice, bananas and raisins, kidney and pinto beans, spinach and avocados.

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SOURCE: Circulation, published online March 27, 2006