Magnesium inhibits colorectal cancer carcinogenesis by increasing vitamin D-synthesizing bacteria

Medical Xpress / Vanderbilt University / The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition ^ | Sept. 23, 2025 | Tom Wilemon / Elizabeth Sun et al

[ConservativeMind]

Researchers have demonstrated in a precision-based clinical trial that a magnesium supplement increases gut bacteria in humans that have been shown to synthesize vitamin D and inhibit colorectal cancer carcinogenesis.

However, the effect was observed primarily in females—an outcome that the researchers surmised may be attributable to the role that estrogen plays in shifting magnesium from circulation into cellular uptake.

Intestinal microbiome data and colonoscopy results were analyzed from participants who were randomized by whether they had the TRPM7 genotype, which plays a crucial role in regulating magnesium and calcium uptake.

"Our previous study showed magnesium supplementation increased blood levels of vitamin D when vitamin D levels were low," said Qi Dai, MD, Ph.D., professor of Medicine. "The current study reveals that magnesium supplementation also increases the gut microbes which have been shown to synthesize vitamin D in the gut without sunlight and locally inhibit colorectal cancer development."

The participants were divided into two arms, one that received the magnesium supplement and another that received a placebo. Their gut microbiome was analyzed from stools, rectal swabs and rectal tissues. Among participants with adequate TRPM7 function, the magnesium supplement increased Carnobacterium maltaromaticum and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, which were previously found to work synergistically to increase vitamin D and decrease colorectal carcinogenesis. Among those with inadequate TRPM7 function, the magnesium supplement reduced the abundance of F. prausnitzii in rectal mucosa.

Among 236 participants who all had a history of colorectal polyps, 124 underwent colonoscopies after completing the trial with a 3.5-year median follow-up time. A higher abundance of F. prausnitzii in rectal mucosa was associated with an almost threefold increase in developing additional polyps.

The findings suggest that magnesium supplementation treatment may decrease colorectal cancer risk in individuals with inadequate TRPM7 function.

[ConservativeMind]

Magnesium increases a bacteria that helps people without a problematic genotype (TRPM7), which helps those people, but it reduces that bacteria in people with the TRPM7 genotype, which, interestingly, helps them.

Magnesium helps everyone, but through sometimes opposite means.

[ConservativeMind]

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[telescope115]

I’ve been taking magnesium supplements for years. 2000mg /day, my bloodwork is normal. I’m in a high risk category for colorectal cancer and get yearly colonoscopies. Next one is in December. The benefits of the magnesium are definitely goos to know.

[sauropod]

Bkmk

[Red Badger]

"...each participant in the treatment arm was assigned an individualized daily dose of oral magnesium glycinate..."

Magnesium Glycinate. I wonder if Magnesium Oxide which is cheaper works the same? Magnesium Oxide isn't absorbed as well as the Glycinate form.........

[Red Badger]

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0002916525005271?via%3Dihub

[roving]

I have colitis and the doctor told me to take magnesium. My risk of colon cancer is 50%.