Effects of magnesium supplementation on improving hyperglycemia, hypercholesterolemia, and hypertension in type 2 diabetes: A pooled analysis of 24 randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have demonstrated that diabetes is often accompanied with lower magnesium status. However, practical details regarding the influences of magnesium intervention on hyperglycemia, hypercholesterolemia, and hypertension in type 2 diabetes (T2D) need to be further investigated. METHODS: Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and PubMed were searched for relevant literatures published through April 30, 2022, and high-quality data were pooled to evaluate the effects of magnesium supplementation on glycemic, circulating lipids, and blood pressure control in T2D, and to explore the associated practical details. RESULTS: Pooled analyses of 24 randomized controlled trials with 1,325 T2D individuals revealed that subjects who received magnesium supplementation had statistically significant reductions in fasting plasma glucose, glycated hemoglobin, systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure, with WMD values of –0.20 mM (95% CI: –0.30, –0.09), –0.22% (95% CI: –0.41, –0.03), –7.69 mmHg (95% CI: –11.71, –3.66) and –2.71 mmHg (95% CI: –4.02, –1.40), respectively. Detailed subgroup analyses demonstrated that health status of participants including age, body mass index, country, duration of disease, baseline magnesium level and baseline glycemic control condition as well as magnesium formulation, dosage and duration of intervention influenced the effects of magnesium addition. Dose-effect analysis showed that 279 mg/d for 116 d, 429 mg/d for 88 d and 300 mg/d for 120 d are the average optimal dosages and durations for improving glycemic, circulating lipids, and blood pressure controls, respectively. CONCLUSION: Our findings provide clinically relevant information on the adjuvant therapy of magnesium for improving hyperglycemia, hypercholesterolemia, and hypertension in T2D.