 |
Magnesium for Gallstones
A diet with healthy levels of magnesium may help prevent the formation of gallstones in men, a new study reports.
Magnesium is the fourth most abundant mineral in the body and is essential to good health. Approximately 50 percent of total body magnesium is found in the bones and the other half is found predominantly inside cells of body tissues and organs. While only one percent of magnesium is found in the blood, the body works hard to maintain blood levels of magnesium.
Magnesium is needed for more than 300 biochemical reactions in the body; it helps maintain normal muscle and nerve function, keeps heart rhythm steady, supports a healthy immune system, keeps bones strong, helps regulate blood sugar levels, promotes normal blood pressure and is involved in energy metabolism and protein synthesis.
Dietary sources of magnesium include green vegetables, such as spinach, some legumes (beans and peas), nuts, seeds and whole, unrefined grains. Tap water may also be a source of magnesium, but the amount varies according to the water supply.
Recommendations for magnesium are provided in the Dietary Reference Intakes developed by the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences. For a list of the recommended Dietary Reference Intakes, please visit the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Information Center Web site.
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Office of Dietary Supplements, data from the 1999-2000 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey suggest that substantial numbers of adults in the United States fail to consume recommended amounts of magnesium. Among adult men and women, Caucasians consume significantly more magnesium than African-Americans. Magnesium intake is lower among older adults in every racial and ethnic group. African-American men and Caucasian men and women who take dietary supplements consume significantly more magnesium than those who do not.
Researchers from the University of Kentucky Medical Center, Lexington, Kentucky, and Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, explained that magnesium deficiency may cause dyslipidemia and insulin hypersecretion, which may facilitate gallstone formation.
They noted that low magnesium consumption has been associated with high fasting insulin concentrations. Chronic hypersecretion of insulin, a feature of insulin resistance, may increase the cholesterol saturation index in the bile, and thus may facilitate gallstone formation. Dyslipidemia is excess levels of blood lipids such as cholesterol, high-density lipoproteins, triglycerides, etc. and is often associated with the occurrence of diabetes and accompanied by high blood pressure.
The study examined the relationship between magnesium consumption and the risk of gallstone disease in a cohort of 42,705 U.S. men from 1986 to 2002. Magnesium consumption was assessed using a validated semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire. Newly diagnosed gallstone disease was ascertained every two years.
Researchers documented 2,195 incident cases of symptomatic gallstones during 560,810 person-years of follow-up. The average intake of magnesium was calculated to 352.8 milligrams per day for the study population.
After adjusting the results to account for age differences, the researchers calculated that men with the highest levels of magnesium intake (454 milligrams/day) were 28 percent less likely to develop gallstones compared to men with the lowest average intake (262 milligrams/day).
The study authors concluded that magnesium consumption may have a protective role in the prevention of symptomatic gallstone disease among men.
Globe artichoke has good scientific evidence in the prevention of gallstones.
Natural Standard: News
Copyright © 2008 Natural Standard (http://www.naturalstandard.com/)
March 2008
References:
1. Tsai CJ, Leitzmann MF, Willett WC, et al. Long-term effect of magnesium consumption on the risk of symptomatic gallstone disease among men. Am J Gastroenterol. 2008 Feb;103(2):375-82. Epub 2007 Dec 12.
2. National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Suppelments. Magnesium. . Accessed March 10, 2008.
3. Natural Standard Research Collaboration: The Authority on Integrative Medicine. http://www.naturalstandard.com/. Copyright © 2008.
The information in this brief report is intended for informational purposes only, and is meant to help users better understand health concerns. This information should not be interpreted as specific medical advice. Users should consult with a qualified healthcare provider for specific questions regarding therapies, diagnosis and/or health conditions, prior to making therapeutic decisions. Copyright © 2008 Natural Standard Inc. Commercial distribution or reproduction prohibited.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration.
These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Consult your physician. Testimonials reflect one person's experience. Individual
results may vary. Due to their unique specialization in vitamin therapy and
clinical nutrition, our doctors are provided compensation for their expertise.
Website prices subject to change without notice. All discounts herein are based
upon catalog prices, and do not necessarily reflect, nor may they be combined
with, other discount offers in our catalogs and flyers.