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Magnesium May Reduce Men’s Colon Cancer Risk

Japanese study finds that Increased intakes of magnesium may reduce menu2019s risks of colon cancer by over 50%.

Magnesium is an important mineral that helps to maintain genomic stability, and it serves as an essential cofactor for DNA synthesis and repair.  In that previous studies have shown magnesium intake to be inversely associated with colorectal cancer, Enbo Ma, from Japan’s National Cancer Center (Tokyo, Japan), and colleagues examined the association between dietary intake of magnesium and colorectal risk among Japanese men and women.  Enrolling 40,830 men and 46,287 women, ages 45 to 74 years, and following them for a period of approximately eight years, the team found that those men who consumed at least 327 milligrams of magnesium per day slashed their risks of colon cancer by 52%, as compared to men whose magnesium intake was 238 mg or less.  There were no significant associations between magnesium intake and cancer risk in women.  The researchers conclude that: “Higher dietary intake of magnesium may decrease the risk of [colorectal cancer] in Japanese men.”

Enbo Ma, Shizuka Sasazuki, Manami Inoue, Motoki Iwasaki, Norie Sawada, Ribeka Takachi, Shoichiro Tsugane for the Japan Public Health Center-based Prospective Study Group. “High Dietary Intake of Magnesium May Decrease Risk of Colorectal Cancer in Japanese Men.” J. Nutr., Apr 2010; 140: 779 - 785.v

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