Magnesium Associated With Lower Risk of Death After Breast Cancer Diagnosis

Magnesium is a naturally occurring mineral that helps nearly every organ in the body to function. A recent study suggests that risk of death following a breast cancer diagnosis is reduced in women with high magnesium intake after diagnosis.

Participants in the study included 1,170 women who were followed for a mean 87.4 months after being diagnosed with breast cancer. During that time, 170 women died.

After adjusting for known prognostic factors, energy intake, total vitamin D, and total calcium, the researchers found that higher dietary intake of magnesium was associated with lower risk of all-cause mortality. They also found a small association between total magnesium food intake and supplement intake combined.

The association was particularly high in postmenopausal women and was also stronger in women who had high calcium to magnesium intake ratios.

Researchers from the University of North Texas, University of Vanderbilt Nashville, University at Buffalo, Baptist Cancer Center, City College of New York, and Ohio State University conducted the study. It was published on December 15, 2015, in the American Journal of Cancer Research.

Magnesium helps build bones, enables nerves to function, and is essential to the production of energy from food. Previous studies have linked magnesium to reduced incidences of heart disease, hypertension and diabetes. Magnesium deficiency, which tends to be especially prevalent in older populations, is linked to insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, coronary heart disease and osteoporosis.

Eating more magnesium rich foods such as green leafy vegetables, meats, starches, grains, nuts and milk is one way to increase your magnesium intake. Taking a supplement is also a good option.