Magnesium supplements may lower pancreatic cancer incidence

Magnesium may soon emerge as the next ‘Vitamin D’ in disease prevention, considering its critical role in DNA repair, cell differentiation, proliferation and angiogenesis and supporting data from several studies on its ability to slash risks of common cancers. The lethal nature of pancreatic cancer is a factor of delayed diagnosis, lack of specific symptoms, early metastasis and resistance to most cytotoxic agents, generally favoring preventive measures. Findings from the recent VITamins And Lifestyle (VITAL) landmark study showed 24% higher pancreatic cancer risk for each 100mg decrement in magnesium intake daily, particularly from non-dietary sources.

Researchers prospectively evaluated data from the trial including over 66800 subjects followed for an eight-year period and interestingly, found that the beneficial relationship between magnesium intake and pancreatic cancer incidence disappeared among subjects who did not use supplements. Thus leading to the hypothesis that benefit from magnesium intake may depend on its source. Such limitation is plausible considering that according to Nutritional reports, magnesium content in food sources have seen huge declines since pre-1950 levels and soils tend to have excess potassium, which competes with magnesium for plant absorption. We find it promising that this highly affordable supplement may have such huge implications in protecting against pancreatic cancer.

Original article: Dibaba et al British Journal of Cancer (2015) 113, 1615–1621. doi:10.1038/bjc.2015.382