Journal of the American College of Nutrition, Vol 13, Issue 1 45-50, Copyright © 1994 by American College of Nutrition

JOURNAL ARTICLE

Magnesium status in healthy free-living elderly Norwegians

L. Gullestad, M. Nes, R. Ronneberg, K. Midtvedt, D. Falch and J. Kjekshus
Department of Medicine B, National Hospital, Oslo, Norway.

OBJECTIVE: Magnesium (Mg) status has previously not been properly assessed among healthy elderly subjects. METHODS: Thirty-six healthy elderly subjects participated. Their Mg status was assessed by serum Mg, basal urinary Mg output, and with a Mg loading test (30 mmol infused during 8 hours; urine sampled 24 hours), and compared with 53 healthy younger subjects. Their dietary intake was assessed by a quantified food frequency questionnaire. Fourteen of the subjects received 300 mmol Mg to study the effect on Mg status. RESULTS: With the exception of vitamin D in women, average energy and nutrient intakes were adequate. All subjects had serum Mg levels within the reference value of the laboratory. Basal urinary Mg excretion was 3.3 +/- 1.1 mmol/day and 24-hour Mg retention after a Mg load was 28 +/- 16% compared to 6 +/- 11% in younger controls, suggesting Mg deficiency in the elderly. In the 14 subjects who received oral Mg supplementation there was a statistically significant increase in basal urinary Mg excretion and creatinine clearance, and decreases in Mg retention, serum Mg and serum creatinine. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that a significant subclinical Mg deficit, not detected by serum Mg, was present in many of these healthy elderly subjects. Mg supplementation improved Mg status and renal function.

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