According to a report in the “American Journal of Clinical Nutrition,” researchers set out to test the hypothesis that incidence of heart failure is greater among individuals with low serum magnesium and those with high serum phosphorus and calcium.

They studied a total of 14,709 Americans ages 45 to 64. The subjects were observed for 20 years.

The scientists found that compared to subjects with the highest serum magnesium levels, those in the lowest category(less than 1.4 mEq/L) had a 71 percent greater risk of heart failure.

Higher concentrations of both phosphorus and calcium were also found to correlate with increased risk of heart failure.

High phosphorus levels were associated with a 34 percent increased risk of heart failure, and high calcium levels with a 24 percent increase.

The authors concluded that “Low serum magnesium and high serum phosphorus and calcium were independently associated with greater risk of heart failure . . . ”

I have no doubt that statin medications are one of the main causes of the rise in heart failure, as statin drugs deplete the body out of a vital nutrient, CoQ10, which helps the heart muscle maintain its integrity and strength.

However, not all heart failure can be traced to statin medications.

Magnesium helps with muscle function and prevents heart arrhythmias. Magnesium deficiency, which is common, has been linked to a host of cardiovascular diseases, including arrhythmias, heart attacks, and strokes.

High calcium levels are known to cause increased risk of blood clotting and vascular calcification.

Calcium is over-supplemented in our country. Very few people need to supplement with calcium.

Many more could benefit from supplementing with magnesium. For most people 200 to 400 mg of magnesium per day is adequate.