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What Does Magnesium Do for Body Health?

Jul 17, 2011 | By Michelle Kerns
What Does Magnesium Do for Body Health?
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Magnesium is a mineral found in high concentrations in foods like dark leafy green vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, beans and soy products like tofu. Magnesium plays a number of essential roles in the body, from being required for energy, DNA and protein synthesis to promoting the function of other vitamins and minerals. Scientific studies indicate that supplementing with magnesium may help prevent osteoporosis, high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease. The recommended daily intake of magnesium is 310 mg for adult women and 400 mg for men. However, the University of Maryland Medical Center warns that many Americans do not consume enough magnesium on a regular basis. Speak to your doctor about your magnesium intake and if magnesium supplementation is right for you.

Energy Metabolism

Cellular processes use the compound adenosine triphosphate, or ATP, as their primary source of energy. Magnesium is an integral part of the mitochondrial protein that helps break down nutrients like fats and carbohydrates to produce ATP. Neurons and muscle cells both require high levels of ATP and people who are severely deficient in magnesium commonly suffer from neurological problems like confusion, personality changes, numbness and tingling along with muscle spasms, weakness and tremors because their cellular energy metabolism suffers without enough magnesium.

Protein Synthesis and Activation

Adequate amounts of magnesium are required for the body to produce and activate a vast array of enzymes, the protein compounds responsible for starting the chemical reactions that regulate every aspect of cellular metabolism. Many of these enzymes include those that play a role in synthesizing fat and carbohydrate molecules for cellular use. Other proteins, like those required to produce DNA and RNA, are also magnesium-dependent.

Vitamin and Mineral Regulation

Magnesium helps promote the absorption of essential vitamins and minerals like vitamin D, copper, zinc, calcium and potassium. These nutrients, especially potassium and calcium, are needed for cells in the muscular and neurological system to generate and transmit electrical impulses. If the body lacks sufficient amounts of magnesium, the nerve, muscle and cardiac cells may transmit erratically. Additionally, since both calcium and vitamin D levels decrease when magnesium is in low levels, insufficient magnesium may increase the risk of developing osteoporosis. A study published in November 2005 in the "Journal of the American Geriatric Society" indicates that increased magnesium intake can proportionally increase bone density -- and decrease osteoporosis risk -- in elderly white men and women.

Disease Prevention

According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, scientific research studies indicate that magnesium supplementation may be linked to a decrease in the risk of developing asthma and a decrease in the severity of symptoms experienced by asthma sufferers. A review study published in April 2008 in the medical journal "Nutrition in Clinical Practice" indicates that additional magnesium in the diet may reduce high blood pressure and help reduce the risk of heart attacks by keeping cardiac rhythms steady. Other studies show that magnesium supplementation may prevent migraine headaches and control blood sugar levels in diabetics, notes the UMMC. However, magnesium has not been approved by the FDA as a safe and effective treatment for any of these conditions. Do not attempt to self-treat a health problem with magnesium until you speak to your doctor about the possible dangers and side effects.

References

Article reviewed by Mia Paul Last updated on: Jul 17, 2011

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