The effects of magnesium and vitamin E co-supplementation on some cardiovascular risk factors: A meta-analysis

Background: Growing attention has been paid to use the combination of magnesium and vitamin E, which might improve metabolic profiles in patients with metabolic diseases. Consequently, we conducted a meta-analysis of published randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to systematically analyze the effects of magnesium and vitamin E co-supplementation on some cardiovascular risk factors in patients with metabolic disorders. Methods: We searched the National Library of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, the Cochrane library and Embase databases for studies published before February 2020 and included controlled trials in which used mentioned intervention. Finally, we extracted 4 trials satisfying our selection criteria. Two reviewers selected studies independently of each other and if they disagreed, was asked a third reviewer. The risk of bias of individual studies was assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration risk of bias tool. Data were pooled using the random-effects method and were expressed as weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: A total of 4 studies meet the eligibility criteria. 119 individuals allocated to intervention and 118 participants allocated to control group. Our meta-analysis indicated that the co-supplementation with magnesium and vitamin E resulted in a significant decrease in FPG, Insulin, HOMA-IR, TG, TC, and LDL-C in comparison with placebo. The co-supplementation with magnesium and vitamin E had no significant effects on the body weight, BMI, and HDL. However, there were no significant heterogeneity for all of the variables except for FPG (I-2 = 56.0%, P = 0.103) and TG (I-2 = 80.7%, P = 0.006). Conclusions: Our meta-analysis indicated that the co-supplementation with magnesium and vitamin E resulted in a significant decrease in FPG, Insulin, HOMA-IR, TG, LDL-C. Moreover, no significant effects on the body weight, BMI and HDL were observed. However, the glycemic-improving properties of magnesium and vitamin E co-supplementation were small and may not reach clinical importance. (C) 2020 European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.