Effect of Magnesium Intake on Hypertension in Chinese Elderly Population

Abstract

Existing studies have found that the prevalence of hypertension in people aged 70 and above is as high as 70%. At present, the prevalence of hypertension among the elderly in China is rising sharply, and these are closely related to magnesium deficiency. This is a review article to demonstrate the association between magnesium deficiency and hypertension by reviewing the literature in recent years. According to the Dietary Recommendations for the Elderly in China, the recommended daily consumption of magnesium for adults would be 330 milligrams (mg), while 74.8% of the population did not meet the recommended intake. Due to the traditional dietary patterns of older Chinese people, who do not have a high uptake of foods such as nuts and seeds, which increases the risk of magnesium deficiency. At the same time, incomplete absorption of magnesium can lead to magnesium deficiency as the absorption rate of gastrointestinal function decreases with age. Studies have found that changing dietary patterns and consuming magnesium supplements are effective in increasing magnesium intake and thus reducing the prevalence of hypertension.