Quick facts

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Safety: Magnesium supplements are generally considered safe for most people when taken in appropriate doses. Consider kidney problems and interactions with other medications when discussing with your doctor.

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ITP: not included

(The Interventions Testing Program (ITP) is a peer-reviewed program designed to identify agents that extend lifespan and healthspan in mice)

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Some studies and publications: 

• Schwalfenberg, G.K., & Genuis, S.J. (2017). The Importance of Magnesium in Clinical Healthcare. Scientifica. This review discusses the wide-ranging benefits of magnesium in various health contexts, including its role in preventing diseases that contribute to aging.
• Castiglioni, S., Cazzaniga, A., Albisetti, W., & Maier, J.A.M. (2013). Magnesium and Osteoporosis: Current State of Knowledge and Future Research Directions. Nutrients. Osteoporosis is a common condition in the elderly that leads to fractures and decreased quality of life. This study reviews magnesium’s role in bone health, suggesting that adequate magnesium intake is beneficial for maintaining bone integrity as we age.
• DiNicolantonio, J.J., O’Keefe, J.H., & Wilson, W. (2018). Subclinical magnesium deficiency: a principal driver of cardiovascular disease and a public health crisis. Open Heart. Cardiovascular disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in older adults. This paper argues that magnesium deficiency is widespread and contributes significantly to cardiovascular risk, implying that addressing magnesium deficiency could improve cardiovascular health and potentially extend healthspan.
• Rosanoff, A., Weaver, C.M., & Rude, R.K. (2012). Suboptimal magnesium status in the United States: are the health consequences underestimated? Nutrition Reviews. This review highlights the prevalence of suboptimal magnesium levels and its potential implications for public health, including chronic diseases associated with aging.
• Veronese, N., et al. (2016). Dietary magnesium intake and fracture risk: data from a large prospective study. British Journal of Nutrition. Analyzing data from a large cohort, this study found that higher dietary magnesium intake was associated with a reduced risk of fractures, a common and debilitating problem in the elderly.
• Tam, M., Gómez, S., González-Gross, M., & Marcos, A. (2003). Possible roles of magnesium on the immune system. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Immune function declines with age, contributing to higher infection rates and inflammation among the elderly. This review discusses how magnesium could support immune function, potentially affecting aging positively.

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While these studies and reviews do not directly link magnesium intake with increased lifespan, they highlight how adequate magnesium levels can impact several health outcomes associated with aging, such as bone health, cardiovascular disease, and immune function. Ensuring adequate magnesium intake through diet or supplements could be part of a strategy to improve healthspan and potentially influence longevity indirectly by mitigating the risk and impact of age-related diseases.

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Overview: Magnesium’s role in supporting longevity and healthspan comes from the numerous physiological processes that are crucial for maintaining health as we age: cellular energy production, DNA repair and maintenance, protein synthesis, neurological, bone and cardiovascular health, anti-inflammatory effects, and stress and mental health.

Type of substance: Magnesium is an essential mineral involved in over 300 biochemical reactions in the body.

‍Other related: Vitamin D3, Vitamin K2, omega3