Magnesium is mainly seen in the intracellular fluid. The total body magnesium is 20 gm (approx.). 75 per cent of this is complexed with calcium and bone, one- third of the skeletal magnesium is exchangeable with serum.
It is a major constituent of bones and is present in all body cells. It is known to be essential for the normal metabolism of calcium and potassium.
Requirement and sources:
The Recommended daily Allowance of magnesium is as follows:
Males: 400 mg per day
Females: 300 mg per day
Doses above 600 mg may cause diarrhea. More of the nutrient is required during lactation.
Sources of Magnesium:
Major food sources of the nutrient are cereals, beans, green leafy vegetables and fish.
Absorption requires a specific carrier mechanism in intestinal cells. Magnesium orally produces diarrhea but intravenously it produces CNS depression.
Benefits of Magnesium:
It is the activator of many enzymes requiring ATP (Adenosine triphosphate), the main energy releasing agent of the body.
Alkaline phosphotase, hexokinase, fructokinase, phosphofructokinase, adenyl cyclase, cAMP dependant kinases etc. need magnesium.
Neuromuscular irritability is lowered by magnesium.
It plays a significant role in insulin sensitivity. Insulin dependant uptake of glucose is reduced in the deficiency of magnesium.
Magnesium supplementation is known to improve glucose tolerance.
Magnesium is essential for many biological functions that take place round the clock in the body.
It aids in the body’s absorption of Calcium and plays a vital role in the formation of bones and teeth. Those at a risk for osteoporosis can benefit from taking magnesium supplements.
It is essential for maintaining a healthy heart. It helps stabilize the heartbeat and prevents abnormal clotting of blood.
It helps in maintaining healthy levels of blood pressure.
It can reduce the risk of heart attacks and may even increase the chances of recovery.
It decreases the risk of stroke.
It helps maintain proper muscle function.
It provides relief to stiff muscles and relaxes them, and benefits the patients of fibromyalgia.
Other Benefits of Magnesium:
It provides relief in back pain in a number of ways. It helps in the normal functioning of kidneys reducing kidney stress, one of the main causes of back pain. It helps relax the muscles, thereby reducing tension and relieving pain. It helps in the absorption of calcium and leads to the development of strong bones.
Alignment of bones: A shortage of the mineral results in creating an imbalance in the nervous system which tightens the muscles, preventing them to stay relaxed leading to the development of a number of bone abnormalities.
Depression and nervous tension: It helps relieve stress and fights depression by stimulating the nervous system leading to the secretion of mood elevating hormones.
Deficiency:
The deficiency of Magnesium causes neuromuscular hyper irritability, hyperreflexia, hyporeflexia, tremors, carpopedal spasm and cardiac arrythmias. It may also occur in chronic alcoholics, cirrhosis of liver, toxemias of pregnancy, protein-energy malnutrition and mal-absorption syndrome. The symptoms of magnesium deficiency are similar to those of calcium deficiency but, they are relieved when magnesium is given. The level of the mineral element increases in blood during kidney failure.
Hypomagnesemia: Serum magnesium level falls below 1.7 mg / dl. Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, chronic alcoholism, liver cirrhosis, protein clorie mal nutrition and diuretic thrapy are the most common causes of Hypomagnesemia. Rare causes include metabolic acidosis and phosphate depletion. Hypocalcemia and hypokalemia are usually associated with Hypomagnesemia.
Normal serum level of magnesium:
The normal serum level of the nutrient is 1.8 to 2.2 mg /dl. Out of this 60 per cent is ionized, 10 per cent is complexed with other ions and 30 per cent is bound with proteins. Inside the RBC the mineral content of magnesium is 5 mEq / L. In muscle tissue, magnesium is 20 mEq / L. Homeostasis is maintained by the kidney. Magnesium is reabsorbed by proximal tubules.