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Magnesium lowers cortisol levels
By increasing your magnesium intake through your regular diet or supplements, you can increase the concentration of anabolic hormones like IGF-1 and testosterone, we reported earlier. But the hormonal positive effects of magnesium don't stop there. Magnesium supplementation can also lower cortisol levels, write Dutch nephrologists at the University Medical Center Groningen in Clinical Endocrinology.
Study
The researchers divided 49 healthy subjects aged 45-70 into 2 groups. The subjects in one group took a placebo every day for 24 weeks, while the subjects in the other group took 350 milligrams of magnesium citrate daily.
The supplement, which was made by the Dutch Medisan, [lab-medisan.com] provided 56 milligrams of elemental magnesium daily.
Results
During the supplementation period, the cortisol level in the experimental group dropped by approximately 32 nanomoles. This equates to a decrease of about 8 percent.
The table above has been reduced. Click on it for a larger version.
Mechanism
In the body, the enzyme 11-beta-HSH-type-2 converts the active cortisol into the inactive cortisone. The enzyme 11-beta-HSH-type-1 does the opposite, converting cortisone into cortisol.
The researchers were able to deduce from their measurements of various cortisone and cortisol metabolites in the subjects' blood that magnesium supplementation increases the activity of 11-beta-HSH-type-2.
Conclusion
"Previous studies have also suggested a role for cortisol in cardiovascular disease risk", write the researchers. "For instance, excess levels of cortisol in patients with Cushing's syndrome have been linked to alterations in the vascular system, including increased arterial stiffness and impaired endothelial function."
"Our findings may indicate improved glucocorticoid metabolism induced by oral magnesium supplementation, suggesting a potential mechanism by which increased dietary magnesium intake lowers cardiovascular disease risk."
"Our results provide a basis to further investigate effects of oral magnesium supplementation on cardiovascular risk and underlying mechanisms."
Source:
Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 2020 Oct 8. doi: 10.1111/cen.14350. Online ahead of print.
More:
More magnesium means more testosterone and IGF-1 06.08.2011
One gram magnesium sulfate raises testosterone level by a quarter 28.04.2010
More magnesium, more free testosterone 11.11.2008
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Blocking Cortisol
Magnesium
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