Association between dietary magnesium intake and epilepsy: The mediating role of composite dietary antioxidant index based on a cross-sectional study
Lai Y, Zhou Y, Yang L, Yin J
IBRO neuroscience reports · 2 citations
How it was studied
- Design
- Cross-sectional study (classified by our AI screen)
- Studied in
- People
- Main outcome
- Clinical events such as disease or death
Who paid for it
- Funding
- Independent funding
- University or hospital
- Chengdu Medical College
- Grants
- Chengdu Medical College (23LHHGYSD26)
Based on 1 listed funder(s) and full-text disclosure statement.
Publication
- Published
- 2026-02-05 · IBRO Neurosci Rep · vol. 20 · pp. 244–251
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Cited
- 2 citations · more than 96% of similar papers · 9.1× the field average
- Impact
- Top 10% most cited in its field
- References
- 33 works
- Access
- Open access (journal) · CC-BY-NC-ND
- Research areas
- Magnesium in Health and Disease · Pharmacological Effects and Toxicity Studies · Parathyroid Disorders and Treatments
- Keywords
- Inflammation, Antioxidant, Magnesium, Socioeconomic status, Index (typography), Prospective cohort study
4 authors
From CN
- Yali LaiChina National Nuclear Corporation
- Yi ZhouChina National Nuclear Corporation
- Le YangChina National Nuclear Corporation
- Jierong YinChina National Nuclear Corporation
Abstract
Background
Epilepsy affects 1.2 % of the US population, with one-third of cases being drug-resistant. Magnesium modulates neuronal excitability, and dietary insufficiency may elevate seizure risk. Systemic inflammation, quantified by the Composite Dietary Antioxidant Index (CDAI), represents a plausible mediator, but population-level evidence remains limited.
Objective
To investigate associations between dietary magnesium intake and epilepsy prevalence, assess CDAI-mediated pathways, and identify high-benefit subgroups.
Methods
Cross-sectional analysis included 33,486 adults (≥20 years) from NHANES 2013-2018. Dietary magnesium intake was derived from two 24-hour recalls and analyzed continuously (per SD) and categorically (quartiles). Epilepsy was self-reported. CDAI integrated six micronutrient intakes. Weighted multivariable logistic regression evaluated magnesium-epilepsy associations, adjusted for sociodemographic, clinical, and dietary covariates. Mediation analysis quantified CDAI's role.
Results
After full adjustment, each SD increase in magnesium intake was associated with 62 % lower epilepsy prevalence (OR = 0.38, 95 % CI: 0.21-0.70, p = 0.004). Quartile analysis revealed a significant inverse trend (p-trend = 0.032), with Q4 (highest intake) exhibiting the lowest risk (OR = 0.38, 95 % CI: 0.12-1.15). CDAI mediated 50.1 % of magnesium's protective effect (indirect effect: -0.478, 95 % CI: -1.031 to -0.166; p < 0.001). Stronger inverse associations occurred in Non-Hispanic Black (OR = 0.32, 95 % CI: 0.11-0.94) and Mexican American (OR = 0.35, 95 % CI: 0.16-0.76) individuals (p-interaction = 0.009) and those with obesity (OR = 0.26, 95 % CI: 0.10-0.68).
Conclusion
Higher dietary magnesium intake is associated with significantly reduced epilepsy prevalence in US adults, with half of this effect mediated by attenuated inflammation (CDAI). Populations with elevated inflammation burdens or socioeconomic disadvantages may derive particular benefit. These findings support magnesium-rich diets as a potential preventive strategy and warrant prospective validation.
Abstract via Europe PMC. Copyright remains with the authors or publisher (CC BY-NC-ND).
Community trust
Loading…
How much do you trust this study's findings?
Comments
Sign in to rate, comment on or flag this study.Sign inSomething wrong here?
Flag this study if its information, labels or funding look wrong. An editor reviews every flag.
Sign in to rate, comment on or flag this study.Sign inEducational information about published research. Not medical advice, and not a recommendation to start or stop anything.