Magnesium supplementation may help prevent acute pancreatitis.

A systematic review of twelve studies reveals magnesium deficiency in pancreatic acinar cells is often linked to reduced serum calcium, predisposing individuals to acute pancreatitis. The research indicates that magnesium acts as a natural calcium antagonist, mitigating intracellular calcium accumulation and premature enzyme activation. Supplementation shows promising benefits in preventing acute pancreatitis, particularly post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. However, the significant heterogeneity among studies poses challenges for definitive conclusions.