Association between oral intake magnesium and sarcopenia: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND: Sarcopenia is a common skeletal muscle disorder in the elderly population. The patients with sarcopenia increased the cost of care and the risk for hospitalization. Magnesium deficiency might increase reactive oxygen species and protein damage. The purpose of our study was to demonstrate the relation between oral intake magnesium and sarcopenia by European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP) 2 definition. METHODS: Our study included 2532 participants with 1310 males and 1222 females. The multiple logistic regression model was designed to test the cross-sectional protective outcome of oral intake magnesium for sarcopenia. RESULTS: Oral intake magnesium had a protective outcome with sarcopenia (odd ratio (OR) = 0.997, 95% CI = 0.996, 0.998, P < 0.001). After fully adjusted, the significance persisted with OR = 0.998 (95% CI = 0.996, 0.999, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Results of the present study showed the dose dependent relationship between oral intake magnesium and sarcopenia. Sufficient oral intake magnesium might prevent patient from sarcopenia. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12877-022-03522-5.