Magnesium is probably one of the most under-acknowledged of all nutrients, which seems bizarre when we learn of the plethora of biochemical functions affected by its presence or absence. It is an essential mineral involved in almost every system in our body and serves as a cofactor in over 300 enzyme reactions.
Among the multitude of biochemical roles magnesium plays in human health are the following: i) energy production by converting food into energy, the main energy currency of the cell is complexed with magnesium as Mg-ATP and low magnesium levels are associated with conditions such as chronic fatigue, ii) neuromuscular and muscular regulation, thus affecting people with tremors, twitches, cramps, constipation, spasms etc., iii) blocking the NMDA receptor, which could be relevant for conditions such as migraines, Alzheimer’s disease, chronic pain, fibromyalgia etc., iv) synthesis of DNA, RNA, proteins and also the antioxidant Glutathione, v) vitamin D activation, magnesium- dependent enzymes are required for the hydroxylation of vitamin D3 into the active form calcitriol, therefore vitamin D could be co-supplemented with magnesium, vi) bone health, through modulating parathyroid hormone, vitamin D and osteoblast/osteoclast activity, vii) diabetes management, magnesium plays a role in insulin metabolism/resistance
and glucose control, viii) cardiovascular health, magnesium controls the heartbeat and low magnesium has been linked to incidences of high blood pressure, stroke, arrhythmia and congestive heart failure, ix) female hormone balance, magnesium has been shown to relieve symptoms of PMS and menopause, x) inflammation and oxidative stress
are controlled by magnesium, with chronic inflammation and markers such as CRPs and pro- inflammatory cytokines linked to magnesium status, xi) immune function regulation, magnesium influences cells of both the innate and adaptive immune systems, xii) fertility and pregnancy, magnesium deficiency has been linked to infertility and pregnancy complications such as miscarriage and pre-eclampsia, xiii) asthma,low magnesium is thought to play a role in the constriction of airways, with magnesium inhalers being used to help alleviate symptoms, xiv) mental health relies on magnesium homeostasis to regulate many components of brain function and mood, low magnesium has been associated
with conditions such as OCD, bipolar disorder, ADHD, autism and depression, xv) sleep and stress, are impacted by hormones and neurotransmitters both of which are modulated
by magnesium.
