Association between dietary magnesium intake and pelvic inflammatory disease in US women: a cross-sectional study of NHANES Original paper
Researched by:
-
Divine Aleru
ID
Divine Aleru
I am a biochemist with a deep curiosity for the human microbiome and how it shapes human health, and I enjoy making microbiome science more accessible through research and writing. With 2 years experience in microbiome research, I have curated microbiome studies, analyzed microbial signatures, and now focus on interventions as a Microbiome Signatures and Interventions Research Coordinator.
-
Women’s Health
Women’s Health
Women’s health, a vital aspect of medical science, encompasses various conditions unique to women’s physiological makeup. Historically, women were often excluded from clinical research, leading to a gap in understanding the intricacies of women’s health needs. However, recent advancements have highlighted the significant role that the microbiome plays in these conditions, offering new insights and potential therapies. MicrobiomeSignatures.com is at the forefront of exploring the microbiome signature of each of these conditions to unravel the etiology of these diseases and develop targeted microbiome therapies.
-
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
OverviewPelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) is a significant infection of the female upper reproductive tract, affecting the uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries, and other surrounding pelvic structures. It is most commonly caused by sexually transmitted infections (STIs), particularly Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae. These infections ascend from the cervix or vagina into the upper genital tract, where […]
-
Divine Aleru
Researched by:
-
Divine Aleru
ID
Divine Aleru
Microbiome Signatures identifies and validates condition-specific microbiome shifts and interventions to accelerate clinical translation. Our multidisciplinary team supports clinicians, researchers, and innovators in turning microbiome science into actionable medicine.
Divine Aleru
What was studied?
This cross-sectional study investigated the association between dietary magnesium intake and the risk of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) in U.S. women. Using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) cycles 2015–2018, the researchers examined whether higher dietary magnesium intake correlates with a reduced likelihood of PID. They applied weighted multivariable logistic regression models and restricted cubic spline (RCS) analysis to assess the dose-response relationship, adjusting for various demographic, lifestyle, and health-related confounders.
Who was studied?
The study analyzed data from 3,034 women aged 20 to 59 years who participated in NHANES 2015–2018. These women provided dietary intake information through two 24-hour recalls and self-reported their history of PID based on treatment for pelvic infection. Participants with missing data on PID status, magnesium intake, or key covariates were excluded. The sample represented a nationally weighted demographic, including diverse racial, socioeconomic, and health profiles, allowing generalization to U.S. women of reproductive and early middle age.
What were the most important findings?
The study found a significant inverse association between dietary magnesium intake and the risk of PID. Women in the highest quartile of magnesium intake had a 60.5% lower risk of PID compared to those in the lowest quartile after adjusting for potential confounders. The trend analysis indicated a linear negative relationship, with each increase in magnesium quartile corresponding to reduced PID odds. Subgroup analyses revealed that this association was stronger in older women (41–59 years) and specific subpopulations such as nonsmokers and those with normal or overweight BMI. The authors discussed biological plausibility: magnesium plays a key role in modulating inflammation and oxidative stress, both critical in PID pathogenesis. Magnesium’s immune-enhancing properties and its inverse correlation with inflammatory markers like C-reactive protein (CRP) suggest that higher magnesium intake may mitigate inflammatory damage in the reproductive tract, potentially influencing the microbiome and pathogen susceptibility indirectly.
What are the greatest implications of this study?
The findings highlight dietary magnesium as a potentially modifiable risk factor for PID, emphasizing nutrition’s role in gynecological health. Clinicians should consider dietary assessments and magnesium supplementation, especially for women at higher PID risk, as a preventative strategy alongside traditional treatments. The age-dependent effects underscore the need to tailor dietary guidance accordingly. This research advocates for further longitudinal and intervention studies to confirm causality and explore magnesium’s mechanistic impact on inflammation and the vaginal microbiome. Public health policies promoting magnesium-rich diets could contribute to reducing PID incidence and its serious reproductive consequences.