Magnesium and Mortality

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High magnesium linked with reduced mortality over an eighteen year

period

 

The findings of a study published in the May 2006 issue of the journal

Epidemiology revealed an association between having high serum levels

of magnesium and a lower risk of mortality during an eighteen year

follow-up. The study also found an increase in mortality linked with

high serum copper levels.

 

Researchers at the National Institute of Health and Medical Research in

France evaluated data from the Paris Prospective Study 2, which

included 4,035 Parisian men between the ages of 30 and 60. Blood

samples drawn upon enrollment were analyzed for serum zinc, copper and

magnesium levels, and other factors.

 

During the follow-up period there were 176 cancer deaths, 56

cardiovascular disease deaths, and 107 deaths from other causes,

including homicide and digestive disorders. Individuals whose serum

magnesium levels were in the top one-fourth of participants had a 40

percent lower risk of dying from any cause or from cardiovascular

disease, and a 50 percent lower risk of dying from cancer during

follow-up than those whose magnesium was in the lowest fourth.

Conversely, having high copper levels increased the risk of dying by 50

percent when the top 25 percent and lowest 25 percent of serum values

were compared.

 

The results support those of other surveys that have determined

increases in cancer and heart disease mortality associated with

elevated serum copper, decreased cancer mortality associated with zinc,

and reduced all-cause mortality associated with higher levels of

magnesium. The authors explain that zinc deficiency is associated with

depressed immune function and that copper is involved in oxidative

damage. Reduced levels of magnesium are may be associated with an

increase in low density lipoprotein oxidation and could initiate

inflammation. Additionally magnesium and zinc help stabilize DNA, which

could help prevent in the initiation of cancer.

 

 

Zinc, Copper, and Magnesium and Risks for All-Cause, Cancer, and

Cardiovascular Mortality.

Epidemiology. 17(3):308-314, May 2006.

Leone, Nathalie *; Courbon, Dominique *; Ducimetiere, Pierre +; Zureik,

Mahmoud *

 

Abstract:

Background: Experimental data suggest that zinc, copper, and magnesium

are involved in carcinogenesis and atherogenesis. Few longitudinal

studies have related these minerals to cancer or cardiovascular disease

mortality in a population.

 

Methods: Data from the Paris Prospective Study 2, a cohort of 4035 men

age 30-60 years at baseline, were used to assess the association

between serum zinc, copper, and magnesium and all-cause, cancer, and

cardiovascular disease mortality. Serum mineral values measured at

baseline were divided into quartiles and classified into low (1st

quartile, referent group), medium (2nd-3rd quartiles), and high (4th

quartile) values. During 18-year follow up, 339 deaths occurred, 176 as

a result of cancer and 56 of cardiovascular origin. Relative risks

(RRs) for each element were inferred using Cox's proportional hazard

model after controlling for various potential confounders.

 

Results: High copper values (4th quartile) were associated with a 50%

increase in RRs for all-cause deaths (RR = 1.5; 95% confidence interval

= 1.1-2.1), a 40% increase for cancer mortality (1.4; 0.9-2.2), and a

30% increase for cardiovascular mortality (1.3; 0.6-2.8) compared with

low values (1st quartile). High magnesium values were negatively

related to mortality with a 40% decrease in RR for all-cause (0.6;

0.4-0.8) and cardiovascular deaths (0.6; 0.2-1.2) and by 50% for cancer

deaths (0.5; 0.3-0.8). Additionally, subjects with a combination of low

zinc and high copper values had synergistically increased all-cause

(2.6; 1.4-5.0) and cancer (2.7; 1.0-7.3) mortality risks. Similarly,

combined low zinc and high magnesium values were associated with

decreased all-cause (0.2; 0.1-0.5) and cancer (0.2; 0.1-0.8) mortality

risks.

 

Conclusions: High serum copper, low serum magnesium, and concomitance

of low serum zinc with high serum copper or low serum magnesium

contribute to an increased mortality risk in middle-aged men.