By Gene Bruno, MS, MHS, RH(AHG)
Huntington College of Health Sciences
Although there are several nutraceutical options for hypertension, we should not forget an oldie but goodie: magnesium. I decided to make this the subject of my current blog due a newly published meta-analysis in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.*
The meta-analysis included data from 11 “gold-standard,” randomized, controlled trials. Collectively, there were 543 participants with insulin resistance, prediabetes, or other non-communicable chronic diseases, and the follow-up periods ranged from one to six months. The dose of elemental magnesium that was used in the trials ranged from 365 to 450 mg/d. All studies reported BP at baseline and the end of the trial. Results showed average reductions in systolic and diastolic blood pressure of 4.18 mmHg and 2.27 mmHg, respectively.
According to the authors of the meta-analysis, the reduction in blood pressure from magnesium supplementation was of great clinical significance. The compared this with other trials that indicated a 2-3 mmHg reduction in blood pressure nay account for a difference of stroke rate by 6 to 12 percent between antihypertensive medications. In addition, the authors suggested that magnesium’s mechanism of action may be an improvement in the function of the endothelium, which would directly lower blood pressure, and that magnesium may have synergetic effects with antihypertensive medications.
The conclusion was that the magnesium supplementation significantly lowered BP in the populations studies.
Reference
*Dibaba DT, Xun P, Song Y, Rosanoff A, Shechter M, He K. The effect of magnesium supplementation on blood pressure in individuals with insulin resistance, prediabetes, or noncommunicable chronic diseases: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Am J Clin Nutr. 2017; doi: 10.3945.
Professor Gene Bruno, MS, MHS, the Provost for Huntington College of Health Sciences, is a nutritionist, herbalist, writer and educator. For more than 37 years he has educated and trained natural product retailers and health care professionals, has researched and formulated natural products for dozens of dietary supplement companies, and has written articles on nutrition, herbal medicine, nutraceuticals and integrative health issues for trade, consumer magazines and peer-reviewed publications. He can be reached at [email protected].
