Blood pressure in relationship to dietary and whole blood ionic magnesium in normotensive subjects

Abstract

The primary purpose o f this investigation was to examine the relationship between dietary and whole blood ionic magnesium (iMg) and measures of blood pressure (BP) (SBP-systolic BP; DBP-diastolic BP; MAP-mean arterial pressure) in a normotensive sample. A secondary purpose was to examine the relationship between dietary and whole blood ionic calcium (iCa), sodium (iNa), and potassium (ifC) and measures o f BP. Comparisons between BP and PAS (physical activity score) and BMI (body mass index) were also made. Subjects (119 females; 82 males) were physically active students with an average age of 21.1 years. Participants underwent three BP measurements and whole blood samples were collected and analyzed for iMg, iCa, iNa, and LK. Physical activity levels were assessed by a physical activity questionnaire (PAQ) and mineral intakes were determined by analysis of a three-day dietary record. Examination of each factor with BP was performed in a 2X2 fashion using the McNemar chi-square and kappa test statistics. Relative Risks (RR) and Odds Ratios (OR) were also determined. No protective influence was observed between BP and dietary or ionic measures o f magnesium. Negative associations between BP and iNa, dietary Na, and BMI were demonstrated. It was concluded that in normotensive subjects, dietary and ionic magnesium does not demonstrate a relationship with BP.