The effect of magnesium supplementation on blood pressure: a meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials

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#adult #aged #analysis-of-variance #blood-pressure #confidence-intervals

The effect of magnesium supplementation on blood pressure: a meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials

Jee et al., 2002 | Am J Hypertens | Meta Analysis

Citation

Jee Sun Ha, Miller Edgar R, ... Klag Michael J. The effect of magnesium supplementation on blood pressure: a meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. Am J Hypertens. 2002-Aug;15(8):691-6

Abstract

BACKGROUND: An increased intake of magnesium might lower blood pressure (BP), yet evidence from clinical trials is inconsistent, perhaps as a result of small sample size or heterogeneity in study design. METHODS: We performed a meta-analysis of randomized trials that tested the effects of magnesium supplementation on BP. Twenty trials meeting the inclusion criteria were identified. Random effects models and meta-regression methods were used to pool study results and to determine the dose-response relationship of magnesium to BP. RESULTS: The 20 studies included 14 of hypertensive and 6 of normotensive persons totaling 1220 participants. The doses of magnesium ranged from 10 to 40 mmol/day (median, 15.4 mmol/day). Magnesium supplementation resulted in only a small overall reduction in BP. The pooled net estimates of BP change (95% confidence interval [CI]) were -0.6 (-2.2 to 1.0) mm Hg for systolic BP and -0.8 (-1.9 to 0.4) mm Hg for diastolic BP. However, there was an apparent dose-dependent effect of magnesium, with reductions of 4.3 mm Hg systolic BP (95% CI 6.3 to 2.2; P < .001) and of 2.3 mm Hg diastolic BP (95% CI 4.9 to 0.0; P = .09) for each 10 mmol/day increase in magnesium dose. CONCLUSIONS: Our meta-analysis detected dose-dependent BP reductions from magnesium supplementation. However, adequately powered trials with sufficiently high doses of magnesium supplements need to be performed to confirm this relationship.

Key Findings

The 20 studies included 14 of hypertensive and 6 of normotensive persons totaling 1220 participants. The doses of magnesium ranged from 10 to 40 mmol/day (median, 15.4 mmol/day). Magnesium supplementation resulted in only a small overall reduction in BP. The pooled net estimates of BP change (95% confidence interval [CI]) were -0.6 (-2.2 to 1.0) mm Hg for systolic BP and -0.8 (-1.9 to 0.4) mm Hg for diastolic BP. However, there was an apparent dose-dependent effect of magnesium, with reductions

Outcomes Measured

  • blood pressure
  • systolic blood pressure
  • diastolic blood pressure

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size 1220
Age Range See abstract
Condition blood pressure

MeSH Terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Blood Pressure
  • Confidence Intervals
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypertension
  • Magnesium
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
  • Vertical: magnesium-blood-pressure

Provenance

  • PMID: 12160191
  • DOI: (not available)
  • PMCID: Not in PMC
  • Verified: 2026-04-09 via PubMed E-utilities API

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09