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The adverse role played by inflammation in the etiology of humankind's most prevalent chronic diseases compels researchers to work diligently to explore its biologic basis. Recent research supports the concept of an important relationship between dietary factors and inflammation, and in particular the role of magnesium deficiency, however, the specifics of this association are not completely understood. Recent findings from epidemiologic studies support that magnesium intake is inversely associated with C-reactive protein concentration, an important marker of inflammation strongly associated with cardiovascular disease risk. Animal studies have provided many mechanistic possibilities to explain the link between magnesium and inflammation. Further research is needed to understand more completely the role of magnesium in inflammation.

The adverse role played by inflammation in the etiology of humankind's most prevalent chronic diseases compels researchers to work diligently to explore its biologic basis. Recent research supports the concept of an important relationship between dietary factors and inflammation, and in particular the role of magnesium deficiency, however, the specifics of this association are not completely understood. Recent findings from epidemiologic studies support that magnesium intake is inversely associated with C-reactive protein concentration, an important marker of inflammation strongly associated with cardiovascular disease risk. Animal studies have provided many mechanistic possibilities to explain the link between magnesium and inflammation. Further research is needed to understand more completely the role of magnesium in inflammation.

The objective of this study was to determine whether magnesium consumption is associated with inflammation (C-reactive protein [CRP]) in children. The study was an analysis of child (age 6-17 years) participants in the cross-sectional, nationally representative National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Children consuming less than 75% of RDA were 1.94 times more likely (p0.05) to have elevated serum CRP levels than children consuming above the RDA. In adjusted analyses controlling for demographics, cardiovascular risk factors, and BMI, children with consumption of less than 75% RDA were 58% more likely to have elevated CRP (OR 1.58, 95% CI 1.07-infinity). Children with intakes below the RDA are more likely to have elevated CRP levels.