Functions

Magnesium's functions include:

• Activating more than 300 enzymes (Enzymes are chemicals that regulate a variety of body functions, including making body proteins and causing muscle contractions.)
• Aiding in the metabolism of fat and carbohydrate to produce energy
• Binding with ATP to form "active ATP," which provides energy for almost all metabolic reactions and processes
• Ensuring proper nerve and muscle function and keeping heart rhythm steady
• Helping synthesize nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) and proteins, which are the building blocks of body tissue
• Giving structure to cell membranes
• Helping keep bones healthy
• Decreasing the risk of tooth decay by binding calcium to tooth enamel

Recommended Intake

Magnesium Deficiency

Magnesium deficiency is rare because most people have large stores of this mineral in their body. However, it can be caused by diseases or medications that interfere with the body's ability to absorb magnesium. Symptoms of a magnesium deficiency include: irregular heartbeat, nausea, confusion, depression, tingling, weakness, loss of appetite, and muscle contractions and cramps.

Conditions and medications that may lead to a magnesium deficiency include:

• Gastrointestinal disorders, such as:
  • Severe diarrhea
  • Chronic or severe vomiting
  • Surgical removal of part of the intestine
  • Intestinal inflammation
• Malabsorption disorders, including:
  • Crohn’s disease
  • Cystic fibrosis
  • Celiac disease
  • Steatorrhea (a type of
  • Diseases of the pancreas, liver, or gallbladder
• Thiazide diuretics, which can increase loss of magnesium in the urine
• Cisplatin, a drug used to treat cancer
• Certain antibiotics, including gentamicin, amphotericin, and cyclosporin
• Poorly controlled diabetes ( type 1 or 2), which can increase the loss of magnesium through urine
• Alcoholism: Alcohol increases urinary excretion of magnesium; also, alcoholics typically have poor diets that are lacking in many essential nutrients, including magnesium.
• Kidney disease: The kidneys are important for reabsorption and excretion of magnesium.

Magnesium Toxicity

Magnesium toxicity is not a concern for most healthy people. However, people with kidney disease may develop toxicity because the kidneys are responsible for regulating the level of magnesium in the blood. Symptoms of magnesium toxicity include:

• Weakness
• Nausea
• Malaise (general discomfort or an "out-of-sorts" feeling)

Major Food Sources

Magnesium is found in a variety of foods. The best sources are legumes, nuts, whole grains, and certain vegetables. "Hard" water (which is high in dissolved minerals, specifically calcium and magnesium) is also a source of magnesium.

Health Implications

A greater magnesium intake is associated with a lower incidence of high blood pressure. This is the finding of a few large clinical studies. One of these, the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) study found that a diet high in magnesium, potassium, and calcium and low in sodium and fat can significantly lower blood pressure. You can get these nutrients by eating a diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables, legumes, whole grains, and low-fat dairy foods. Another group of researchers studied 30,000 US male health professionals over several years. The study found a greater magnesium intake was significantly associated with a lower risk of hypertension.

Based on the growing number of studies showing a positive role for magnesium in managing blood pressure, the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure recommends maintaining an adequate magnesium intake to prevent and manage high blood pressure.

Several studies have found links between magnesium status and heart health; many of these suggest that an adequate intake of magnesium is protective of the heart. However, the findings are still not clear, and further study needs to be done to clarify magnesium's role.

Since a significant amount of magnesium is stored in the bones and one of magnesium's roles is to help keep bones healthy, it would make sense that magnesium would help protect bones from the thinning of osteoporosis. Several studies have suggested just that—magnesium supplementation may improve bone mineral density. However it is still not clear, and more study needs to be done.

It has been known for years that there is a strong association between liver disease in alcoholism and magnesium deficiency. In fact, alcoholic liver disease is the most common clinical condition associated with low serum magnesium. While most experts think that low magnesium is a result of alcoholic liver disease, rather than a cause, there is some evidence from Mexico and Slovakia that magnesium may be part of the process that leads to another common liver disorder called nonalcoholic steatosis.

This condition occurs most commonly in people who are obsese and, on occasion, may become so severe that it requires liver transplant. Further studies will be necessary, but it is possible that screening for and correction of low magnesium levels in those at risk could improve long-term outcomes.

Tips For Increasing Your Magnesium Intake

It is easy to meet your magnesium needs through foods. To increase your intake, try some of the following:

• Sprinkle wheat germ over your morning bowl of cereal or oatmeal and on top of casseroles or in baked goods.
• Throw a handful of nuts into a spinach salad to add a little crunch and some extra nutrition.
• Wrap beans, rice, sauteed vegetables, and a little bit of cheese in a warm tortilla for lunch.
• Add beans to dishes like chili, soup, salad, pasta, or rice.
• Have a bowl of whole grain cereal for breakfast or to snack on; if you're not used to the taste, mix it with your usual cereal.
• Bake a potato and top it with sauteed spinach, black beans, and salsa.
• Spread peanut butter on your toast or bagel instead of butter, margarine, or cream cheese