Different study designs provide different levels of evidence.
•Cross-sectional studies examine a specific cohort at a single point in time, offering only associative insights.
• Longitudinal studies track a cohort over multiple time points, providing correlational evidence.
•Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involve an intervention and a control group, allowing for causal conclusions.
Studies 1, 2 and 3 below showcase examples of cross-sectional, longitudinal, and randomized controlled trials on magnesium.
Study #1: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38703902/
Study #2: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32667538/
Study #3: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34260036/
If you’re unsure what type of study you’re reading, check the methods section—I usually read this first to get context before diving into the results.