Magnesium (Mg)

Magnesium is an essential mineral that accounts only for 0.05 percent of the body’s total weight. Approximately 70 percent of the mineral is located in the bones and the rest in soft tissues such as muscles and in body fluids. Magnesium, like calcium is a cation (divalent). It is heavily involved in many metabolic processes and it is widely distributed in foods especially green leafy vegetables. It’s an essential element of chlorophyll.

Approximately 50 percent of the magnesium from dietary sources is absorbed in the small intestine through passive and active absorption. The rate of absorption is influenced by the parathyroid hormones and the amount of calcium, phosphate and lactose in the body. High magnesium intake reduces the rate of absorption and low intake increases the rate. Aldosterone a hormone produced by the kidneys regulates the rate of magnesium loss through kidneys. Diuretics and alcohol increase magnesium loss in the urine.

Magnesium plays an extensive and vital role in many biological and physiological processes. It is responsible for more than 300 enzymatic reactions in the body and its presence is required in many energy-yielding compounds in cells, ATP. It also contributes to the DNA and RNA synthesis, in bone structure by abiding calcium and potassium metabolism, nerve and heart function, insulin release from pancreas, decreasing blood pressure and prevention with heart rhythm abnormalities.

Magnesium also helps to promote the absorption of other minerals such as phosphorus, calcium, potassium and sodium and the utilization of the B-complex vitamins and C and E. The conversion of blood sugar in to energy it needs sufficient amounts of magnesium and for the regulation of body temperature. High cholesterol levels and high intake of proteins increases the need for this mineral. Magnesium also helps to prevent accumulation of calcium and phosphorus deposits in the urinary tract by keeping them soluble.

Approximately 50 percent of dietary magnesium comes from green leafy and other vegetables, fruit and grains and 30 percent from milk and its products, eggs and chocolate. The Recommended Daily Allowance is 310 mg/ day for adult women and 400 mg/day for men. Magnesium deficiency develops very slowly. The need of magnesium increases slightly with some individuals over the age of 30.

Toxicity it is not a problem in healthy people with a typical diet. However, large amounts can lead to diarrhea and toxicity can occur from not food source magnesium in older individuals, in the event of kidney failure or if kidney functions is compromised.

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