Magnesium, the microbiome, and reducing the risk of colon cancer
6 hours ago
- #colorectal-cancer
- #gut-microbiome
- #magnesium
- Magnesium supplements may boost gut bacteria that inhibit colon cancer development, but effectiveness varies by genes and sex.
- A clinical trial by Vanderbilt University Medical Center found magnesium increases gut microbes that synthesize vitamin D and inhibit colorectal cancer.
- Participants with normal TRPM7 gene responded well to magnesium, especially women, while those with a specific variant sometimes had opposite effects.
- Higher levels of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii were linked to increased polyp risk, while Carnobacterium maltaromaticum was associated with reduced risk of serrated polyps.
- The study suggests a 'precision nutrition' approach, where genetic testing could identify who benefits most from magnesium supplements.
- Limitations include a short trial duration, lack of strain-specific bacterial data, and a non-diverse participant group.