Sex-specific differences in the association of magnesium intake with femoral neck bone mineral density among older adults

Background: Magnesium plays a crucial role in bone metabolism, but its relationship with bone mineral density (BMD) remains complex and potentially sex-specific. This study aimed to investigate the association between magnesium intake and femoral neck BMD in older adults. Methods: We analyzed data f...

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Main Authors: Bo Wang, Xin Tan, Xiaocong Yao, Zhongxin Zhu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Bioscientifica 2025-08-01
Series:Endocrine Connections
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Online Access:https://ec.bioscientifica.com/view/journals/ec/14/8/EC-25-0020.xml
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author Bo Wang
Xin Tan
Xiaocong Yao
Zhongxin Zhu
author_facet Bo Wang
Xin Tan
Xiaocong Yao
Zhongxin Zhu
author_sort Bo Wang
collection DOAJ
description Background: Magnesium plays a crucial role in bone metabolism, but its relationship with bone mineral density (BMD) remains complex and potentially sex-specific. This study aimed to investigate the association between magnesium intake and femoral neck BMD in older adults. Methods: We analyzed data from 1,343 adults aged ≥65 years in the 2017–2020 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics in the United States. Magnesium intake was assessed using 24 h dietary recalls, and femoral neck BMD was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. We employed weighted multivariate linear regression, subgroup analyses, and non-linear modeling techniques. Results: The fully adjusted model (controlling for demographic, clinical, lifestyle, nutritional, and biochemical factors) revealed a significant positive association between magnesium intake and femoral neck BMD (β = 0.0020 g/cm2 per 50 mg/d increase in magnesium intake, 95% CI: 0.0001, 0.0039, P = 0.042). This association was stronger in women and participants with BMI >30 kg/m2. In men, we identified a non-linear relationship with an inflection point at 480 mg/d magnesium intake, above which the positive association diminished. Conclusions: Our findings reveal complex, sex-specific relationships between magnesium intake and femoral neck BMD in older adults, highlighting the need for tailored dietary recommendations. The observed non-linear associations and threshold effects underscore the importance of optimal magnesium intake levels for bone health.
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spelling doaj-art-8a7ae11cc5024b0cb3de8d60c0fd22eb2025-08-20T03:36:13ZengBioscientificaEndocrine Connections2049-36142025-08-0114810.1530/EC-25-00201Sex-specific differences in the association of magnesium intake with femoral neck bone mineral density among older adultsBo Wang0Xin Tan1Xiaocong Yao2Zhongxin Zhu3Department of Osteoporosis Care and Control, The First People’s Hospital of Xiaoshan District, Xiaoshan Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, ChinaDepartment of Pharmacy, The First People’s Hospital of Xiaoshan District, Xiaoshan Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, ChinaDepartment of Osteoporosis Care and Control, The First People’s Hospital of Xiaoshan District, Xiaoshan Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, ChinaDepartment of Osteoporosis Care and Control, The First People’s Hospital of Xiaoshan District, Xiaoshan Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, ChinaBackground: Magnesium plays a crucial role in bone metabolism, but its relationship with bone mineral density (BMD) remains complex and potentially sex-specific. This study aimed to investigate the association between magnesium intake and femoral neck BMD in older adults. Methods: We analyzed data from 1,343 adults aged ≥65 years in the 2017–2020 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics in the United States. Magnesium intake was assessed using 24 h dietary recalls, and femoral neck BMD was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. We employed weighted multivariate linear regression, subgroup analyses, and non-linear modeling techniques. Results: The fully adjusted model (controlling for demographic, clinical, lifestyle, nutritional, and biochemical factors) revealed a significant positive association between magnesium intake and femoral neck BMD (β = 0.0020 g/cm2 per 50 mg/d increase in magnesium intake, 95% CI: 0.0001, 0.0039, P = 0.042). This association was stronger in women and participants with BMI >30 kg/m2. In men, we identified a non-linear relationship with an inflection point at 480 mg/d magnesium intake, above which the positive association diminished. Conclusions: Our findings reveal complex, sex-specific relationships between magnesium intake and femoral neck BMD in older adults, highlighting the need for tailored dietary recommendations. The observed non-linear associations and threshold effects underscore the importance of optimal magnesium intake levels for bone health.https://ec.bioscientifica.com/view/journals/ec/14/8/EC-25-0020.xmlmagnesium intakebone healtholder adultssex-specific effectsnational health and nutrition examination survey (nhanes)
spellingShingle Bo Wang
Xin Tan
Xiaocong Yao
Zhongxin Zhu
Sex-specific differences in the association of magnesium intake with femoral neck bone mineral density among older adults
Endocrine Connections
magnesium intake
bone health
older adults
sex-specific effects
national health and nutrition examination survey (nhanes)
title Sex-specific differences in the association of magnesium intake with femoral neck bone mineral density among older adults
title_full Sex-specific differences in the association of magnesium intake with femoral neck bone mineral density among older adults
title_fullStr Sex-specific differences in the association of magnesium intake with femoral neck bone mineral density among older adults
title_full_unstemmed Sex-specific differences in the association of magnesium intake with femoral neck bone mineral density among older adults
title_short Sex-specific differences in the association of magnesium intake with femoral neck bone mineral density among older adults
title_sort sex specific differences in the association of magnesium intake with femoral neck bone mineral density among older adults
topic magnesium intake
bone health
older adults
sex-specific effects
national health and nutrition examination survey (nhanes)
url https://ec.bioscientifica.com/view/journals/ec/14/8/EC-25-0020.xml
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