Taking Magnesium Every Day Could Have An Unexpected Effect On Your Colon Cancer Risk

Though heart disease remains the number one cause of death in the United States, cancer isn’t far behind. And of the most commonly diagnosed cancers, colorectal cancer (the overarching term for colon and rectal cancers) sits at fourth, making it one of the 10 leading causes of death in America.

According to 2025 statistics from the National Cancer Institute, more than 150,000 new cases of colorectal cancer are diagnosed annually and more than 50,000 individuals die from the disease. However, you can adopt some healthy strategies to affect your colorectal cancer risk, including adding more magnesium to your diet.

Your body relies on magnesium to support your nervous system, bones, vascular system, muscular system, and other functions. A 2012 meta-analysis from the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition explored the possible influence magnesium might have on colorectal tumor development. After examining the findings from several studies, the authors found that increasing daily magnesium dosages by 100 milligrams lowered colorectal cancer risk by 12%.

Similar findings came out of a 2005 study that explored the effects of magnesium intake on women’s likelihood of developing colorectal cancer. The study, which was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), noted that when magnesium consumption rose, colorectal cancer risk dropped for women between the ages of 40 and 75.

Why would magnesium produce this kind of outcome? A 2022 article in Biological Trace Element Research suggests that magnesium may inhibit the growth of cancerous cells. The article mentioned that a pronounced amount of tumor cell death occurred in animals that were given magnesium. In laboratory experiments, cancer cells that were incubated in a magnesium solution showed similar reactions.

Though none of these clinical observations are proof that magnesium definitely has the ability to reduce an individual’s colorectal cancer, they seem encouraging. Therefore, if you’re actively attempting to eat foods that may help you prevent cancer or take supplements that may do likewise, trying magnesium-rich options could make sense.

You don’t have to look far to find foods that contain quite a bit of magnesium. Beans, lower-fat dairy products, nuts, and leafy greens top the list. Seeds do, too: An ounce of chia seeds provides more than 100 milligrams of magnesium. Since the daily recommended amount of magnesium is 310 to 320 milligrams for women and 400 to 420 milligrams for men, you can quickly reach your target by incorporating some magnesium-packed items into your meals and snacks.

You can also take a magnesium supplement, but it’s wise to talk with your healthcare provider first. Magnesium can interact with some medications, including some proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and antibiotics. Plus, ingesting too much magnesium (albeit an uncommon occurrence) can make you feel sick to your stomach, mess up your balance, and cause respiratory issues.

Consequently, it may be practical to stick with a conservative regimen based on advice from a medical professional. That way, you can try to lessen your colorectal cancer risk without creating any unintended health problems.