Intake or Blood Levels of Magnesium and Risk of Metabolic Syndrome: A Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies

Abstract

Background/Objectives: The association between magnesium and metabolic syndrome has not been comprehensively examined. We conducted a meta-analysis to quantitatively evaluate the association between intake and blood levels of magnesium and metabolic syndrome. Methods: We searched PubMed, Scopus, and ISI Web of Science databases to identify studies reporting an association between magnesium and metabolic syndrome up to April 2025. To pool the effect sizes on metabolic syndrome according to intake and blood levels of magnesium, a random effects model was used. Results: Twenty-seven publications including 95,933 participants were included in the meta-analysis. The relative risk summary of metabolic syndrome for highest versus lowest intake of magnesium was 0.79 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.71-0.88) for prospective cohort studies. In the meta-analysis of cross-sectional studies, magnesium intake was inversely associated with metabolic syndrome (odds ratio = 0.61; 95% CI: 0.39-0.94). High blood levels of magnesium were inversely associated with metabolic syndrome (effect estimate = 0.53; 95% CI: 0.37-0.76). Conclusions: The present meta-analysis indicated that magnesium intake was inversely associated with a risk of metabolic syndrome. Regarding the association between blood levels of magnesium and metabolic syndrome, a significant inverse association was found, but the interpretation was cautious due to the observed high heterogeneity. The association between magnesium status and metabolic syndrome needs to be confirmed with further prospective studies.