A study has found that magnesium and dietary fibre intake can reduce a woman’s risk of developing metabolic syndrome.
Notably, it was also found that those diagnosed with metabolic syndrome in the study consumed lower levels of both magnesium and fibre in their diet.
These findings suggest that incorporating higher levels of magnesium and complex fibres — through supplementation or dietary choices — can support the metabolic health of women.
The trial
Throughout the trial period, 170 Kuwaiti women aged between 18 and 65 were recruited to determine the impact of dietary choices on metabolic risk factors.
Semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaires were distributed to assess the food intake of participants, with biochemical measurements also being run throughout the trial.
Correlation studies were then ran to determine if there was a link between magnesium & fibre intake and metabolic disease.
During the study period, it was observed that the intake of these two nutrients diminished an individual’s risk of developing metabolic disease.
This means that dietary intake of both magnesium and fibre could be recommended as a cost-effective and natural way to improve outcomes in overweight and obese individuals.
It should be noted that this study was conducted in women, so more research would need to be done into this concept irrespective of sex to determine the true effects of magnesium and fibre intake on metabolic health.
The link between metabolic syndrome and heart disease
Metabolic syndrome is associated with a range of symptoms, including obesity, high blood pressure, impaired blood glucose control and high triglyceride levels.
It is also commonly associated with an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
Because the intake of magnesium and dietary fibres was correlated with a reduced risk of developing metabolic syndrome, it could be concluded that this dietary intervention could also contribute to the prevention of heart disease.
Therefore, supplementation with these two functional ingredients could prove highly beneficial for those on their weight management journey — both through supporting the heart and the body’s natural metabolism.
Dalal Alkazemi, lead author of this paper and professor at Kuwait University, commented: "To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to provide critical insights into the association between dietary magnesium and fibre intake and the prevalence of MetS among apparently healthy women in Kuwait."
"This study has highlighted the critical role of dietary magnesium and fibre in mitigating the risk of metabolic syndrome among Kuwaiti women. The strong association between these nutrients and metabolic health underscores the need for dietary interventions and public health policies to promote the intake of magnesium- and fibre-rich foods." "
Addressing dietary inadequacies through targeted nutritional strategies could significantly reduce the prevalence of metabolic syndrome, while also enhancing the overall metabolic health of this population."