Alternative Health Blog

In a study involving 89 children (aged 5-15 years) with chronic asthma receiving inhaled fluticasone propionate and oral methyl prednisolone (short courses during flare ups) and 27 healthy controls, serum magnesium was found to be significantly lower among asthmatics receiving steroid treatment, as compared to healthy controls and as compared to asthmatics not received steroid treatment. Frequency of oral corticosteroid use was found to be significantly negatively associated with serum magnesium. The authors conclude, “...Use of corticosteroid in asthmatics reduces magnesium level with recovery to normal after steroid cessation. Magnesium supplementation is recommended to those receiving steroid.”
 
Reference:
“Magnesium level in chronic asthmatic children - effect of corticosteroid treatment,” Fatouh AAA, Abd Al-Aziz AM, et al, International Journal of Food Safety, Nutrition and Public Health, 2009; 2(2): 101-110.