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The effect of long-term magnesium intake on inflammatory markers in patients with metabolic syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

  • 2025-10-31
  • Frontiers in nutrition 12
    • Weinai Wang
    • Jiayong Wang
    • Yufeng Yang
    • Yan Shi

Study Design

Type
Systematic Review
Sample size
n = 444
Population
444 participants with metabolic syndrome
Methods
Systematic search in Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus; meta-analysis of eight RCTs; random-effects model; Cochrane RoB 2.0 tool
Duration
at least 2 months

Background

Prior randomized controlled trials (RCTs) offer inconsistent evidence on extended magnesium supplementation's impact on inflammatory markers within metabolic syndrome cases.

Methods

We conducted a systematic search in Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus, and the present meta-analysis included eight RCTs involving 444 participants. This meta-analysis adhered to PICOTS criteria and specifically evaluated the effect of oral magnesium supplementation compared to placebo on serum inflammatory markers. Only randomized controlled trials with an intervention duration of at least 2 months were included. Data were synthesized using a random-effects model, with results expressed as standardized mean differences (SMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). The risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane RoB 2.0 tool.

Results

Compared with placebo, magnesium intake notably lowered C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in serum (SMD = -0.327; 95% CI: -0.602 to -0.053; p = 0.048). Subgroup analyses revealed particularly notable improvements in serum CRP levels with oral magnesium supplementation under the following conditions: a duration of 12 weeks and 16 weeks; female sex; and administration in tablet form or capsule form. However, in other cases, this effect became non-significant (p > 0.05). Sensitivity analyses conducted by sequentially excluding individual studies or removing all studies with a high risk of bias showed no substantial impact on the results. No significant publication bias was observed (p-values for Begg's test and Egger's test were 0.1078 and 0.087, respectively).

Conclusion

Long-term magnesium supplementation effectively improves CRP levels, with the optimal duration being 12 weeks and 16 weeks, and the preferred administration forms being tablets and capsules. The beneficial effects of long-term magnesium intake on inflammatory markers in patients with metabolic syndrome were more pronounced in women than in men.

Research Insights

  • Magnesium→Reduced C-Reactive Protein Levels

    Compared with placebo, magnesium intake notably lowered C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in serum (SMD = -0.327; 95% CI: -0.602 to -0.053; p = 0.048).

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Small
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