Abstract

Background: Obesity and micronutrient deficiencies contribute to the risk of cardiometabolic diseases such are type 2 diabetes mellitus and Cardiovascular Disease (CVD).

Objective: We examined the frequency of concomitant deficit of Magnesium (Mg) and vitamin D in obese patients and evaluated the connection of these combined deficiencies with indicators of cardiometabolic risk in non-diabetic subjects.

Methods: Non-diabetic middle aged adults (n = 80; mean age 36 ± 4 years, 52% women) were recruited based on weight/adiposity parameters [i.e. Body Mass Index (BMI) and body fat percentage (FAT%)]. Cardiometabolic risk indicators [insulin resistance (Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR)) and CVD risk (Framingham risk score for predicting 10-year CVD)], Mg status (i.e. total serum Mg concentration (TMg), Chronic Latent Mg Deficiency (CLMD) - 0.75-0.85 mmol/L), vitamin D status (i.e. serum concentration of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D), vitamin D deficiency <50 nmol/l) were assessed.

Results: Among obese subjects 36% presented a combination of vitamin D deficiency and CLMD. In all studied patients, 25(OH)D and TMg levels both, individually and combined, showed a negative linear correlation with HOMA-IR and CVD risk. In subjects with CLMD (TMg <0.85 mmol/L), a negative linear coefficient was found between 25(OH)D and, HOMA-IR and CVD risk, compared with subjects with normal TMg status (TMg 0.85 mmol/L).

Conclusion: CLMD and vitamin D deficiency may commonly be present in obese non-diabetic subjects. Individually and combined, both deficiencies predispose non-diabetic patients to increased risk of cardiometabolic diseases. Maintaining normal Mg status may improve the beneficial effects of vitamin D on cardiometabolic risk indicators.

Keywords: Obesity, micronutrients, chronic latent magnesium deficiency, vitamin D deficiency, cardiometabolic risk indicators, insulin resistance.

Graphical Abstract