Nutritional status of magnesium and calcium in the metabolic syndrome and its components: an evaluation in adults and older people from the natal - BRAZUCA study
magnesium; calcium; metabolic syndrome; cardiometabolic risk
Evidence has indicated that the combinations of low magnesium concentration together to high calcium concentrations, results on a higher calcium/magnesium ratio (Ca/Mg), whose results have been associated with the cardiometabolic risk factors involved on the metabolic syndrome (MS). This study aimed to evaluate the concentrations of magnesium and calcium in plasma, as well as the Ca/Mg ratio and the components of MS in adults and older people with and without MS. This is a crosssectional study, carried out with participants in the BRAZUCA-Natal Study. It was explored social bio demographic data, lifestyle, anthropometric and biochemical parameters. The magnesium and calcium concentrations were evaluated in plasma using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). It was included 112 participants evaluated for the MS diagnosis, according to the harmonized criteria for MS and grouped in individuals with or without MS. It was observed significant differences among the groups for waist circumference (WC) (p < 0.001), systolic blood pressure (SBP) (p = 0.021), fasting blood glucose (p = 0.001), triacylglycerol (p < 0.001), high-density lipoprotein (HDL-c) ( p < 0.001), insulin (p < 0.001), HOMA-IR [Homeostasis Model Assessment - Insulin Resistance] (p < 0.001), very low density lipoprotein (VLDL-c) (p < 0.001), non-HDL-c (p = 0.001), body mass index (p = 0.001), visceral adiposity index (p < 0.001), plasma atherogenic index (p < 0.001), atherogenic coefficient (p < 0.001) 0.001), Lipoprotein Combination Index (p < 0.001), Castelli I Index (p < 0.001) and Castelli II Index (p = 0.003). There were no significant differences in the concentration of magnesium (p = 0.435), calcium (p = 0.531), calcium/magnesium ratio (p = 0.635) in the plasma between the studied groups. Magnesium concentrations were correlated to insulin (r = -0.207; p = 0.031) and HOMA-IR (r = -0.232; p = 0.015). Calcium concentrations were correlated to HDL-c (r = -0.335; p = 0.000), triacylglycerol (r = -0.294; p = 0.002), total cholesterol (r = -0.554; p = 0.000), LDL-c (r = -0.310; p = 0.001) and non-HDL-c (r = -0.385; p = 0.000), as well as the Ca/Mg ratio were correlated to HDL-c (r = -0.260; p = 0.007) , triacylglycerol (r = -0.336; p = 0.000), total cholesterol (r = -0.508; p = 0.000), LDL-c (r = -0.314; p = 0.001), VLDL-c (r = -0.231; p = 0.018), not HDL-c (r = -0.413; p = 0.000) and LCI (r = -0.215; p = 0.028). Regression analyzes indicated that calcium and Ca/Mg ratio were associated with HDL-c (β = -2.125, p < 0.001; β = -3.316, p < 0.001 respectively), and triacylglycerol (β = -13.889, p < 0.001; β = -32.549, p < 0.001, respectively). These results indicate that there was no difference in the concentrations of the elements between the groups, however, important correlations were evidenced with risk factors related to MS, such as calcium concentrations, and the Ca/Mg ratio with HDL-c and triacylglycerols.