Little is known about the effect of magnesium on insulin sensitivity and blood pressure in healthy individuals.
This research investigated whether magnesium could improve insulin sensitivity and blood pressure in overweight adults.
In a double-blinded, placebo-controlled, randomized trial, a total of 155 participants received either 12.3mmol (300mg) of elemental magnesium in the form of magnesium oxide or placebo each day for 12 weeks.
In subgroup analysis, magnesium supplementation lowered blood pressure much more than placebo in those subjects whose systolic BP?140mmHg, diastolic BP 80-90mmHg, and diastolic BP?90mmHg at the start of the study.
High blood pressure (hypertension) is defined as systolic pressure of 140 mm Hg or higher or diastolic pressure of 90 mm Hg or higher.
In comparison, those subjects whose initial blood pressure reading was low at baseline did not show a change in blood pressure.
These results suggested that magnesium supplementation could lower blood pressure in otherwise healthy adults with high blood pressure.
References:
1. S. Lee, H.K. Park, S.P. Son, C.W. Lee, I.J. Kim, H.J. Kim. Effects of oral magnesium supplementation on insulin sensitivity and blood pressure in normo-magnesemic nondiabetic overweight Korean adults. Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases. doi: 10.1016/j.numecd.2009.01.002.
