Dietary Factors Influencing Magnesium Absorption in Humans

Abstract

Decreased Mg intake and low Mg status have been associated with a number of major health concerns such as diabetes mellitus type II, coronary heart disease, and osteoporosis. While information on Mg intake is available, relatively little is known on dietary factors influencing Mg bioavailability. While it is established that Mg absorption is based on a combination of a non-saturable and a saturable pathway, the nature of especially the latter mechanism is not well understood. Recently, stable isotopes have improved techniques available for the determination of Mg absorption from single test meals or supplements. Some inorganic Mg forms such as MgO seem of limited solubility in the intestine, suggesting low bioavailability. Recent studies have further added evidence that some commonly consumed dietary compounds, such as phytate and oxalate, can inhibit Mg absorption, presumably via complexation, preventing absorption from the small intestine. Phytate for example has been shown to decrease Mg absorption by up to 60%, in a dose dependent manner. On the other hand, fermentable dietary fibre, such as fructo-oligosaccharides, have been demonstrated to increase Mg absorption in humans by 10-25%, even though the underlying mechanisms remain to be elucidated. Future studies to investigate factors impacting Mg absorption are warranted.

Nutritional Counseling for Hypertensive Patients: Have Final-Year Nursing Students Learnt Enough to Be Able to Offer Advice to Such Patients?

“…Similarly, in another study among Australian general Practice Registrars, the majority (90%) indicated that reducing saturated fats was a "highly appropriate" strategy in preventing and managing hypertension conditions [29]. It is important to note that another effect of high intake of fatty foods containing high proportions of long-chain fatty acids is its capability of lowering the absorption of magnesium [33].…”

The Effect of Dietary Oils and Hydrolyzed Coconut Oil on Minerals Absorption in Rats.

“…Oils and fats are hydrolyzed enzymatically in the body by lipases found in the mouth (lingual lipase), stomach (gastric lipase), and intestine (pancreatic lipase). These lipases hydrolyze triglycerides at sn-1 and sn-3 position [9,25,26].…”

“…On the other hand, MCT is quickly hydrolyzed, begins in the mouth by lingual lipase, and continues in the stomach by gastric lipase then absorbed into the liver through portal vein, and hence, most hydrolyzed product do not reach the small intestine. Calcium and magnesium can react with LCFA generated from LCT oils hydrolysis to form insoluble mineral salts, which are not absorbed by intestine mucous, hence excreted through the feces [9,10,29,30].…”

The Effect of Dietary Oils and Hydrolyzed Coconut Oil on Minerals Absorption in Rats.

“…Fatty acids, mainly from the hydrolyzed long-chain triglycerides (LCTs), can react with calcium and magnesium in the intestine to form insoluble salts. These salts are unable to be absorbed, and hence, excreted through the feces [8][9][10].…”