AJCN Study Confirms: Magnesium Supplementation May Inhibit Colorectal Cancer Progression
A new study conducted by scientists at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition has revealed that regular magnesium intake can modify the composition of gut microbiota. This change, in turn, stimulates the localized synthesis of vitamin D directly in the gut, effectively suppressing mechanisms associated with the development of colorectal cancer.
The effect was particularly pronounced in women, which researchers attribute to the role of estrogen in magnesium redistribution within the body. In a clinical trial, participants were divided into groups receiving either magnesium or a placebo. Subsequently, their gut microbiota was analyzed. The results indicated that magnesium supplementation significantly increased the number of beneficial bacteria, such as Carnobacterium maltaromaticum and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, both previously linked to tumor protection.
Study participants with a history of intestinal polyps also underwent colonoscopies. The data confirmed that microbiota changes induced by magnesium intake could help reduce the risk of polyp recurrence and, consequently, cancer development. The scientists emphasize that these findings could pave the way for developing personalized strategies for colorectal cancer prevention in at-risk individuals.
It is also worth noting that recent research has established that vitamin D3 possesses the ability to slow down the shortening of telomeres – crucial DNA segments associated with cellular `biological age`.
