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Magnesium supplement goes in, HDL goes up
Magnesium supplementation not only improves sleep quality but also has positive cardiovascular effects. Magnesium lowers blood pressure, helps prevent arteriosclerosis - and, according to a recent meta-study, also increases the level of the 'good cholesterol' HDL.
Study
Researchers from Neyshabur University of Medical Sciences in Iran traced 27 trials in which test subjects were given magnesium supplements. The studies then looked at the effect on lipids in the blood. They looked at the 'good cholesterol' HDL, which reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease, and the 'bad cholesterol' LDL, the bad triglycerides, which actually increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.
The Iranians merged the results of the trials and reanalyzed them.
The table below gives you an impression of the values that regular cardiologists consider healthy and unhealthy. To be honest, we will immediately say that there is a lot of fuss surrounding the cholesterol story.
Results
The researchers found no effect of magnesium supplementation on the concentration of triglycerides or the level of the 'bad cholesterol' LDL. They did find an effect on the 'good cholesterol' HDL.
Magnesium supplementation increased HDL levels by an average of 1.21 mg/dL. In American research, this effect was higher and there was an average increase of 3.9 mg/dL.
The quality of the figure below is terrible, but it's the best we could find. Click on it for a larger version.
The effect of magnesium supplementation on HDL levels was stronger when the daily dose was higher than 300 milligrams and the duration of administration was longer than 84 days. The effect was also more convincing when the subjects were over 50 and no longer in good health.
Conclusion
The quality of the trials was not overwhelming. Although the researchers were able to find two dozen useful trials, they still believe that more - and especially more carefully conducted - research is needed.
Source:
Nutr J. 2025 Feb 4;24(1):24.
More:
Survived a stroke? Make sure you get enough magnesium 20.12.2023
Dietary and supplemental magnesium protects against arteriosclerosis 28.05.2018
Magnesium protects against hardening of the arteries, high blood pressure and diabetes 08.04.2017
Magnesium supplement lowers blood pressure 17.12.2016
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