Abstract:
Magnesium is the second most abundant intracellular cation, which participates in various enzymatic reactions that regulate vital biological functions. The main goal of this cross-sectional study was to assess magnesium status and its relationship with nutritional biomarkers in seventeen cystic fibrosis patients. The serum magnesium and calcium concentrations were determined using standardized methods, and the survey of dietary magnesium and calcium intake was a prospective 72-hour study (including one of the weekend days). Cut-off points for regular serum magnesium levels were 0.7 to 0.95 mmol/L, and adequate dietary magnesium intake was 80% to 120% of the Dietary Reference Intake (DRI). The mean serum calcium (2.45 mmol/L) and magnesium (0.82 mmol/L) had regular levels, and the mean dietary calcium (127 %DRI) and magnesium (125 %DRI) intake were high. No patients had hypocalcemia. A total of 47% of the subjects had hypomagnesemia, and 12% had deficient magnesium eating. Only one individual had a serum magnesium deficiency and inadequate magnesium intake. A total of 47 and 82% of our patients had a high serum calcium/magnesium (Ca/Mg) ratio of >4.70 (mean 4.89) and a low Ca/Mg intake ratio of <1.70 (mean 1.10), respectively. The likelihood of a high Ca/Mg ratio was 49 times higher in patients with a serum magnesium deficiency than in those with regular serum magnesium levels. Both Ca/Mg ratios were associated with the risk of developing cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and even several cancers. Consequently, 53% of the cystic fibrosis patients were at high risk of a magnesium deficiency and developing other chronic diseases.
Audience Take Away
- The audience will be able to apply what they learned in this presentation because it is foremost to know magnesium as an essential nutrient for the growth and development of children and adolescents, especially those who suffer from chronic diseases, such as patients with cystic fibrosis
- The knowledge they acquire will make them more aware of the needs of people with chronic diseases, not just patients with cystic fibrosis
- This presentation will help the audience in their work, improving their knowledge of the topic at issue. Inspire other researchers or pediatricians to develop projects related to calcium/magnesium ratios
- This research provides a first step to recognizing the problem, which in this case is magnesium deficiency in the population with cystic fibrosis, and at once can serve as a guide to develop research
- The design of this cross-sectional study is an important key to be aware of when considering repeating this research on serum and dietary calcium/magnesium ratios on the nutritional status of subjects with chronic diseases
- This study is crucial because of the possibility of applying this design to other chronic diseases where magnesium deficiency could be prevalent
