Adequate dietary calcium and magnesium may improve Crohn's disease inflammation and activity

China: A recent study published in the Journal Of Human Nutrition And Dietetics has shown that adequate intake of calcium and magnesium may improve the nutritional status and reduce inflammation in patients with Crohn's disease (CD), benefiting disease relief. 

The study led by Ying Zhen, Yijun Liao and Ye Ouyang at the Southern Medical University in Guangzhou, China, and colleagues implies that both magnesium and calcium may be useful markers for the diagnosis and disease activity of Crohn's disease, as they reflect CD status. 

The prospective, observational analysis included 159 participants, with 76 patients diagnosed with Crohn's disease and 83 individuals in the control cohort. The mean age of participants was approximately 32 years, and male individuals represented around three-fourths of the population.

The key findings of the study were:

● Patients with Crohn's disease exhibited lower nutritional status compared to the control cohort, as indicated by lower serum magnesium (0.86 mmol/L) and calcium levels (2.183 mmol/L) in contrast to control values (0.898 and 2.397 mmol/L, respectively).

● Patients with Crohn's disease demonstrated significantly higher levels of inflammatory markers, including interleukin 6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), compared to the control group.

● Patients with Crohn's disease in remission showed improved nutritional status, higher dietary calcium and magnesium intake, and significantly reduced inflammation when compared to those with active disease.

● The analysis revealed sustained deficiencies in calcium and magnesium levels among patients in both remission and active phases of the disease.

● The dietary intake of these essential minerals in Chinese patients with Crohn's disease was found to be "seriously inadequate."

The study highlights the significance of calcium and magnesium in reducing inflammation and malnutrition in patients with Crohn's disease. These minerals may serve as valuable biomarkers to assess disease activity and nutritional status in affected individuals. Based on the findings, the researchers suggest that ensuring a sufficient intake of calcium and magnesium could be a safe and cost-effective strategy to improve clinical outcomes in Crohn's disease patients.

Understanding the role of calcium and magnesium in managing inflammation and nutritional status in Crohn's disease patients provides clinicians with valuable insights to develop targeted interventions. Further research may explore the potential of these essential minerals as part of a comprehensive treatment approach for patients with Crohn's disease, ultimately improving their overall prognosis and quality of life.

Reference:

Zheng Y, Liao Y, Ouyang Y, et al. The effects and predictive value of calcium and magnesium concentrations on nutritional improvement, inflammatory response and diagnosis in patients with Crohn's disease [published online ahead of print, 2023 Jul 23]. J Hum Nutr Diet. 2023;10.1111/jhn.13201. doi:10.1111/jhn.13201