Magnesium-Rich Diets Linked to Less Muscle Loss in Koreans 50+
Graded Preliminary — a one-time survey of 3,830 people, using a single day of eating, cannot show whether magnesium protects muscle or is simply linked to it.
- Design
- Cross-sectional study
- Participants
- 3,830
- Duration
- —
- Funding
- —
Adults aged 50 and over who ate more magnesium had age-related muscle loss less often than those who ate little.
People who got plenty of magnesium from their food were less likely to have age-related muscle loss. That is the finding of an analysis of South Korean adults aged 50 and over. Magnesium comes mainly from plant foods. Earlier studies on the question had produced mixed results.
Researchers asked 3,830 adults once what they had eaten the previous day. Supplements were not counted. The quarter with the highest intake got at least 351 milligrams a day for women and 442 for men. They had muscle loss less often than the quarter with the lowest intake. This held even after accounting for overall diet quality. A similar pattern appeared for a diet built on whole grains, nuts, legumes, leafy greens, seaweed, soy milk and coffee. Part of the link could be explained statistically by lower inflammation levels in the blood, roughly 7 to 18 percent depending on the measure.
The data come from a single point in time. So the study cannot say whether the magnesium came first or the muscle. The authors themselves advise caution with the inflammation calculation.
Disclaimer: Research summaries are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making changes to your health routine.