Study Finds Inverse Correlation Between Dietary Magnesium Intake and Peripheral Arterial Disease

Summary

This article investigates the relationship between dietary magnesium intake and peripheral arterial disease (PAD) using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) conducted in the United States between 1999 and 2004. The study found that individuals with PAD had lower dietary magnesium intake than those without PAD. Even after adjusting for various factors, dietary magnesium intake remained negatively associated with PAD. The study further divided dietary magnesium intake into quartiles and found that the first quartile, representing low magnesium intake, was associated with a higher incidence rate of PAD. Subgroup analysis showed that the association between dietary magnesium intake and PAD remained significant among specific subgroups. This research highlights the importance of sufficient dietary magnesium intake in reducing the risk of PAD, particularly for those with very low intake. Overall, this study provides evidence supporting the negative association between dietary magnesium intake and the occurrence of PAD, emphasizing the need for further research and increasing magnesium intake to prevent the development of PAD.

Findings

🔍 The main findings of this study on dietary magnesium intake and peripheral arterial disease (PAD) are:

Participants with PAD had lower dietary magnesium intake compared to those without PAD.

After adjusting for various factors, dietary magnesium intake remained negatively associated with PAD. Low magnesium intake was closely related to the higher incidence rate of PAD.

The association between dietary magnesium intake and PAD remained significant among specific subgroups, including non-white individuals, never or former smokers, and non-hypertensive, non-diabetic individuals.

Adequate dietary magnesium intake is crucial in reducing the risk of PAD.

Further research is needed, but increasing magnesium intake can help prevent the occurrence of PAD.

Key Terms

Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD): Peripheral Arterial Disease is a condition characterized by a narrowing or blockage of the arteries that supply blood to the limbs, most commonly the legs. This narrowing or blockage restricts blood flow and can lead to symptoms such as leg pain, numbness, and reduced mobility.

National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES): NHANES is a nationally representative survey conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics in the United States. It assesses Americans' health and nutritional status through physical examinations, laboratory tests, and interviews. The study in this article used publicly available data from NHANES conducted between 1999 and 2004.

Dietary Magnesium Intake: Dietary magnesium intake refers to the amount of magnesium obtained through food and beverages in an individual's daily diet. Magnesium is an essential mineral that is crucial in various bodily functions. In this study, the researchers examined the association between dietary magnesium intake and PAD.

Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI): Ankle-brachial index is a non-invasive test used to evaluate the blood flow in the arteries of the limbs. It involves measuring the blood pressure in the arms and ankles and comparing the ratios to determine the presence of PAD. An ABI value less than 0.9 in at least one leg indicates the presence of PAD.

Covariates: Covariates are considered alongside the main variable of interest in statistical analysis to control for potential confounding factors. In this study, various covariates, such as age, gender, race, education, smoking status, and medical conditions, were considered to adjust for their potential influence on the association between dietary magnesium intake and PAD.

Methodology

The study utilized data from the NHANES, a nationally representative survey conducted in the United States, to assess Americans' health and nutritional status. The researchers obtained publicly available data from NHANES conducted between 1999 and 2004. The participants were selected based on age, and those aged 40 and above underwent an ankle-brachial index (ABI) test to determine the presence of PAD. Dietary trace mineral intake, including magnesium, was estimated using the 24-hour dietary recall method. Various covariates such as age, gender, race, income, education, smoking status, and health markers were also considered in the analysis. Statistical analysis was performed using R studio, and all analyses were weighted to ensure representativeness.

Limitations

One limitation of this study is its reliance on self-reported dietary recall data, which may be susceptible to recall bias or measurement error. Additionally, the study analyzed cross-sectional data, meaning that dietary magnesium intake and PAD were assessed simultaneously, making it difficult to establish a causal relationship. Furthermore, the study focused on the association between dietary magnesium intake and PAD, but it did not investigate other potential factors that may contribute to the development of PAD. Lastly, although adjustments were made for various covariates, there may still be unmeasured confounding factors that could influence the results. Therefore, further research is needed to confirm these findings and explore additional PAD-related factors.

Source: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0289973

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