Low Magnesium in Conjunction with High Homocysteine and Less Sleep Accelerates Telomere Attrition in Healthy Elderly Australian

The relationship between sleep and micronutrients, including magnesium, is implicated in its regulation. The effects of low magnesium and other micronutrients on sleep disruption and telomere loss are not well understood. The present study was carried out in 172 healthy elderly subjects from South Australia. Plasma micronutrients including magnesium were measured. Each participant provided information about their sleep hours (<7 h or >= 7 h). Lymphocyte telomere length (TL) was measured by real-time qPCR assay. Plasma magnesium level was significantly low in subjects who sleep less than 7 h (p = 0.0002). TL was significantly shorter in people who are low in magnesium and sleep less than 7 h (p = 0.01). Plasma homocysteine (Hcy) is negatively associated with magnesium (r = -0.299; p < 0.0001). There is a significant interaction effect of magnesium and Hcy on sleep duration (p = 0.04) and TL (p = 0.003). Our results suggest that inadequate magnesium levels have an adverse impact on sleep and telomere attrition rate in cognitively normal elderly people, and this may be exacerbated by low levels of vitamin B-12 and folate that elevate Hcy concentration.

Automated summary

The study investigates the relationship between sleep, micronutrients (including magnesium), and telomere length in elderly individuals. The findings suggest that low levels of magnesium are associated with shorter sleep duration and telomere length. Additionally, plasma homocysteine levels were negatively correlated with magnesium, and there was an interaction effect between magnesium and homocysteine on sleep duration and telomere length. These results highlight the importance of adequate magnesium levels and the potential impact of vitamin B-12 and folate levels on sleep and telomere attrition rate in elderly individuals.