Association of magnesium intake with sleep duration and sleep quality: findings from the CARDIA study

Abstract

Study Objectives As an antagonist of calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg) has been implicated in the regulation of sleep. We aimed to examine the longitudinal associations of Mg intake and Ca-to-Mg intake ratio (Ca:Mg) with sleep quality and duration. Methods The study sample consisted of 3,964 participants from the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study. Dietary and supplementary intake of Mg were obtained using the CARDIA Dietary History at baseline (1985–1986), exam years 7 and 20. Self-reported sleep outcomes were measured at years 15 and 20. Sleep quality was rating from 1 (very good) to 5 (very bad). We categorized sleep duration to <7, 7–9, and >9 h. Generalized estimating equation was used to examine the associations of interest as repeated measures at the two time points. Results After adjustment for potential confounders, Mg intake was borderline associated with better sleep quality [highest quartile (Q4) vs. intake quartile (Q1): odds ratio (OR) = 1.23; 95% CI = 0.999, 1.50, ptrend = 0.051]. Participants in Q4 were also less likely to have short sleep (<7 h) compared to those in Q1 (OR = 0.64; 95% CI = 0.51, 0.81, ptrend = 0.012). The observed association with short sleep persisted among participants without depressive disorders (Q4 vs. Q1: OR = 0.64; 95% CI = 0.49, 0.82, ptrend < 0.001), but not among individuals with depressive disorder. Ca:Mg was not associated with either outcomes, regardless of depression status. Conclusions Mg intake was associated with both sleep outcomes in this longitudinal analysis. Randomized controlled trials with objective measures of sleep are warranted to establish the potential causal inference.

Low Magnesium in Conjunction with High Homocysteine and Less Sleep Accelerates Telomere Attrition in Healthy Elderly Australian

“…We found that magnesium levels are significantly higher in those who slept for 7 or more hours. Our results are in agreement with previous findings in animal models [ 45 ] and humans [ 46 , 47 , 48 ]. It is possible that magnesium may influence sleep duration via regulation of circadian rhythms [ 49 ].…”

Is Melatonin the “Next Vitamin D”?: A Review of Emerging Science, Clinical Uses, Safety, and Dietary Supplements

“…Further to the sleeping room, engaging in healthy lifestyle practices such as refraining from stimulants, eating or being on devices too close to bedtime, and unwinding from the day’s stresses with relaxation practices such as a warm bath or physical activity, need consideration [ 86 , 87 ]. From a nutritional standpoint, assessing dietary intake of macronutrients, especially tryptophan-containing sources of protein [ 87 ], along with micronutrients such as magnesium [ 88 ], vitamin D, and calcium, would be essential for ensuring a biochemical foundation that would foster healthy sleep [ 89 ]. Thus, melatonin would be utilized preferentially when the other changes have been implemented if there was an indication.…”

Exploring the Role of Dairy Products In Sleep Quality: From Population Studies to Mechanistic Evaluations

“…A recent analysis using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey showed that participants with lower intakes of magnesium tended to have shorter sleep duration [ 70 ]. Similarly, in the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults study, those with the highest intakes of magnesium tended to report better sleep quality and showed lower odds of not achieving sufficient sleep duration of ≥7 h/night [ 71 ]. These observational data confirm a relationship between micronutrient cofactors of the Trp-melatonin pathway and sleep outcomes ( Figure 1 ).…”