Originally published February 26 2006
Colon cancer risk in women cut dramatically by increasing magnesium intake
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
According to a study recently completed at the University of Minnesota's School of Public Health, magnesium intake reduced the risk of colon cancer by 40 percent in the group of women who consumed the highest daily amount of the mineral.
Researchers from the School of Public Health at the University of Minnesota, found that diets rich in magnesium reduced the occurrence of colon cancer.
A previous study from Sweden (Journal of the American Medical Association, Vol. 293, pp. 86-89) reported that women with the highest magnesium intake had a 40 per cent lower risk of developing the cancer than those with the lowest intake of the mineral.
"These findings offer further evidence that a diet high in magnesium may reduce the occurrence of colon cancer amongst women," said lead researcher Aaron Folsom.
The new research, published in the February issue of the American Journal of Epidemiology (Vol. 163, pp. 232-235), used a food frequency questionnaire to assess dietary nutrient intake of 35 196 women with an average age of 61.
This is still less than than the RDA for magnesium: 320 mg per day for women and 420 mg per day for men.
Because the intake of magnesium from supplements was less than five per cent of the daily intake the researchers could only base their conclusions on dietary magnesium.
"Foods high in magnesium, such as vegetables, grains, and fruit, are already considered useful for reducing colorectal cancer," said Folsom.
The errors involved with using food frequency questionnaires suggest the results should be treated with caution; the research does support however the much larger Swedish cohort study.
Folsom said: "If the association is further replicated by observational studies, a clinical trial would be needed to determine whether it is magnesium, specifically, that may offer benefit."
Colorectal cancer accounts for nine per cent of new cancer cases every year worldwide.
The highest incidence rates are in the developed world, while Asia and Africa have the lowest incidence rates.
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