A study from Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine found that higher dietary magnesium intake is linked with a lower risk of developing peripheral artery disease PAD, a condition that compromises blood flow to the legs. The findings appeared in PLOS One.
In the research, the ankle–brachial index ABI was measured in 5,969 adults aged 40 and older to evaluate leg blood flow. Among them, 409 individuals showed signs of PAD, an atherosclerotic disease that commonly affects the legs and can lead to reduced mobility, cold or bluish skin, and occasional ulcers. The ABI test remains a simple, noninvasive way to assess vascular health in the lower extremities.
Participants completed a detailed 24 hour food diary, and researchers cross referenced the entries with a comprehensive nutrient database to estimate daily magnesium intake. The foods contributing most Mg in the sample included whole grains with bran, cocoa products, hazelnuts, seaweed, avocados, celery, and broccoli.
On average, participants without PAD consumed about 288 milligrams of magnesium per day, while those with PAD averaged roughly 245 milligrams daily. This gap indicates that magnesium intake was below recommended levels in many people with the condition.
The analysis showed that higher magnesium consumption, particularly from dietary sources, was associated with a lower risk of PAD. This relationship held even after accounting for smoking habits, nationality, and other health conditions that commonly accompany vascular disease.
Experts described magnesium as a mineral that supports blood vessel function by promoting relaxation of the arterial walls, which can improve blood flow. It also appears to help modulate inflammatory markers in the body, including C reactive protein and certain cytokines, and may slow calcium buildup in the vessel walls. Together, these effects may contribute to a lower likelihood of developing PAD as magnesium intake increases.
These insights align with broader nutrition guidance that emphasizes minerals and micronutrients as part of a heart and circulatory health strategy. While magnesium is readily available in a variety of foods, achieving consistent intake through regular dietary choices appears beneficial for vascular health in adults. Ongoing research continues to clarify the role of magnesium in preventing arterial disease and its potential to complement other lifestyle measures such as physical activity and not smoking.
In light of the new evidence, clinicians and nutritionists may consider dietary magnesium status as part of routine risk assessment for vascular disease and provide practical dietary recommendations to patients seeking to support leg blood flow and overall circulatory wellness.