In November 2017 researchers from the UK and Australia published the results of their study to assess whether higher dietary magnesium intake is associated with a lower risk of frailty. A total of 4,421 individuals (average age 61 years; men 1,857, women 2,564), who were at high risk or had knee osteoarthritis, and were free from frailty at the start of the study were included in the study. Information on magnesium intake was collected via a food frequency questionnaire. Results showed that during an 8-year period of follow-up, reaching the Recommended Daily Allowance for magnesium reduced the risk of frailty amongst men, with each 100 mg of dietary magnesium intake at the start of the study appearing to result in a 22% reduction in risk. However, no significant association between magnesium intake and risk of frailty was seen in women.
Veronese N et al. Dietary Magnesium and Incident Frailty in Older People at Risk for Knee Osteoarthritis: An Eight-Year Longitudinal Study. Nutrients. 2017 Nov 16;9(11). pii: E1253.