A new clinical trial suggests magnesium supplements may boost gut bacteria that help block the development of colon cancer.
The research led by the Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) has demonstrated that magnesium supplements increase gut bacteria that can inhibit the growth of colorectal cancer.
“Our previous study showed magnesium supplementation increased blood levels of vitamin D when vitamin D levels were low,” said Qi Dai, MD, PhD, professor of medicine at VUMC and the study’s corresponding author. “The current study reveals that magnesium supplementation also increases the gut microbes, which have been shown to synthesize vitamin D in the gut without sunlight and locally inhibit colorectal cancer development.”
Key Takeaways From This Study:
The study involved 236 individuals with a history of colorectal polyps. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted to ensure unbiased results. Key findings were:
- Magnesium altered gut bacteria: For individuals with a properly functioning TRPM7 gene (which regulates magnesium and calcium), supplements led to higher levels of two gut bacterial species associated with reduced colorectal cancer risk.
- Sex played a role: The beneficial effect of magnesium on the gut microbiome was more significant in females, possibly due to estrogen’s influence on how magnesium is distributed in the body.
- Magnesium increased gut vitamin D: In addition to increasing circulating vitamin D levels, the new research shows magnesium supplementation boosts the local production of vitamin D by gut microbes. This localized, microbially-synthesized vitamin D does not enter the bloodstream but may help inhibit colorectal cancer development directly in the gut.
You can read the complete study, which was published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, by clicking on the link.