| Concentrated
intracellularly and activates over 300 enzymes which play essential
roles in detoxification reactions, energy metabolism (carbohydrates,
fats, proteins), membrane transport, neuromuscular activity, synthesis
of RNA and DNA, temperature regulation, and the formation of healthy
bones and teeth, and may be more important than calcium for bone health,
as it is involved in calcium metabolism, the synthesis of vitamin
D, and the integrity of skeletal bone-crystal formation; works with
calcium in regulating the heart and muscles; works with vitamin B6
in preventing the formation of kidney stones, gallstones and calcium
deposits; considered to be an anti-stress mineral due to its ability
to relax the muscles (often used for muscle spasm); plays a significant
role in the prevention and treatment of various forms of cardiovascular
disease; influences the activities of hormones, particularly PTH (parathyroid
hormone) function; lowers blood pressure; maintains pH balance of
blood and tissues; stabilizes ATP and interactions with calcium, phosphorus
and potassium metabolism; and is effective in the treatment of alcoholism
and hypertension. Magnesium is also required for proper vascular tone,
cardiac contractility and lipid metabolism, and also affects vascular
smooth muscles causing relaxation and influence on blood pressure.
Suboptimal magnesium intake compromises all tissues, especially tissues
of the heart, kidneys and nerves.
An
acute magnesium deficiency could be a contributing cause of ataxia,
cardiac arrhythmia, convulsion, muscular and vascular (coronary)
spasm, organic brain syndrome, tetany, Trousseau and Chvostek signs,
and vertigo.
A chronic magnesium
deficiency could be a contributing cause of asthma, bone loss, depressed
immune functions, fatigue, hyperirritability of nerves and muscles,
hyperlipidemia, hypertension, increased arterial calcium content,
increased cardiac free radical generation, mood changes, premenstrual
syndrome, poor wound healing, and thrombophlebitis. Magnesium deficiency
is also enhanced by some diuretics.
Deficient magnesium
status is also associated with an increased incidence of cardiovascular
disease and death including atherosclerosis, heart attack, hypertension,
myocardial infarction, and stroke. Deficient magnesium status can
also cause stiffness in the vasculature which elevates blood pressure
and a contraction or spasm in the heart muscle which can result
in sudden death. It is now recognized that many heart attacks occur
to individuals with relatively healthy hearts. Individuals with
cardiovascular disease often show deficient magnesium status and
increased requirements by magnesium loading tests. In addition,
magnesium closely interacts with calcium in cardiovascular health
and a deficiency is often associated with high calcium intake. Conversely,
excessive doses of magnesium, especially coupled with renal disease,
can cause central nervous system depression and paralysis.
Pharmaceutical
drugs that can cause a magnesium deficiency include benzthiazide,
bumetanide, chlorothiazide, chlorotrianisene, chlortetracycline,
cholestyramine resin, conjugated estrogens, corticosteroids, demeclocycline,
diethylstilbestrol, digoxin, doxycycline, esterified estrogens,
ethacrynic acid, furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide, hydroflumethiazide,
indapamide, methyclothiazide, indapamide, methyclothiazide, metolazone,
minocycline, oral contraceptives, oxytetracycline, penicillamine,
polythiazide, quinethazone, tetracyclines, torsemide and trichlormethiazide.
Dietary sources
richest in magnesium (per serving) include cheese (cheddar), brown
rice, dark green leafy vegetables, legumes (beans, lentils, peas,
soybeans), nutritional supplements, nuts (almond, peanut, pecan,
walnut), vegetables (particularly potatoes), wheat bran, wheat germ,
and whole grains and grain products.
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hCG
