ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Calcium and Magnesium in Drinking Water
as Risk Factors for Ischemic Heart Disease
Slavica Stevanovic1, Maja Nikolic2, Marina Deljanin Ilic3
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1PUC Naissus Nis, 1/I Knjeginje Ljubice Street, 18000 Nis, Serbia
2Public Health Institute Nis, 50 Dr Zoran Djindjic Street, 18000 Nis,
3Institute for Treatment and Rehabilitation Niska Banja,
2 Srpskih junaka Street 18205 Niska Banja, Nis, Serbia
Submission date: 2016-11-08
Final revision date: 2017-01-17
Acceptance date: 2017-01-18
Online publication date: 2017-07-10
Publication date: 2017-07-25
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2017;26(4):1673-1680
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ABSTRACT
The aim of this research was to determine the interdependence between calcium and magnesium in
drinking water, and the morbidity from ischemic heart disease (IHD). A structured epidemiological
questionnaire was used to collect information on the amount of drinking water consumed by 200 respondents
in areas with the highest and lowest values of Ca and Mg. In addition, information on various risk factors
for IHD (smoking, physical activity) was assembled for the same population group. In order to determine
the average daily intake of Mg and Ca among the respondents, we ran a semi-quantitative questionnaire
on frequency of food intake over the course of the previous year. The correlation between risk factors was
assessed using linear regression and Pearson’s coefficient of linear correlation. Finally, ROC analysis was
employed to determine the minimal protective values for Mg and Ca. Despite the daily intake of drinking
water in the respondents averaging less than 2l, a negative correlation between Ca and Mg from drinking
water and risk factors for IHD were still observed. The analysis concluded that from the standpoint of
preventing IHD, it would be necessary to have a daily intake of Ca and Mg of at least 75 mg Ca and 7 mg
of Mg consumed through drinking water.