Several studies suggest that calcium intake or higher blood calcium increases prostate cancer risk; however, others do not agree. Magnesium plays an important role in counteracting the effect of calcium, including effects on cell proliferation and inflammation.
, and colleagues investigated the importance of serum magnesium and calcium levels on prostate cancer risk in the . They found that serum magnesium levels were significantly lower – and that the ratio of calcium to magnesium was significantly higher – among men with high-grade (more aggressive) prostate cancer compared to men without prostate cancer.
Serum calcium levels alone were not significantly associated with high- or low-grade prostate cancer or prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia. The researchers also report a possible racial difference in the calcium-magnesium ratio.
The findings suggest that magnesium affects prostate cancer risk, perhaps through its interactions with calcium, and may provide new opportunities for personalized prevention of prostate cancer.