Functions of Magnesium in the Body

After Potassium, Magnesium is the second-most abundant positively charged ion inside the body’s cells and Magnesium amounts are highest in bones (65%), teeth, heart and brain.

Magnesium is necessary for the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and amino acids, for the functions of muscles and nerves and for the formation of bones and teeth. It maintains the Cell “Battery”/the ATP production to “power” the cell.

“Without magnesium there is no energy, no movement, no life.” Dr. Carol Dean

ATP (adenosine triphosphate) production = main source of energy in cells (produced by cell mitochondria). It must be bound to a magnesium ion in order to be biologically active.

Cell “Battery” = effective electrochemical gradients across the cell membrane.

Mg is required in the mitochondrial respiration cycle to provide cellular energy and maintain the cell “battery”.

Mg regulates Calcium

Adequate Mg is essential for calcium absorption and metabolism (natural calcium-channel-blocker). It converts Vitamin D into its active form to assist calcium absorption. It keeps calcium dissolved in blood and prevents soft tissue calcification.

Mg is a natural muscle relaxant - Mg dilates and relaxes blood vessels (e.g. to treat Raynaud’s syndrome) and Mg levels correlate with the ability to avoid High Blood Pressure.

Mg helps to transmit nerve signals - Mg stabilizes abnormal nerve excitation and blood vessel spasms by preventing excessive calcium build-up inside cells, and its role in providing cellular energy.

Mg is one of the body's major alkalizing minerals

Mg is involved in detoxification of the body - Mg detoxifies Heavy Metals/other toxins and is therefore an important neuro-protectant.

Mg is required for protein synthesis E.g. muscle-building

Mg needed to maintain hormonal balance - Mg is needed for Cholesterol synthesis – this “mother” of all hormones, produced in the adrenal cortex, is a prerequisite for hormones:

ALDOSTERONE – regulates the balance of salt and water in the body.

DHEA - prohormone for all steroid hormones.

CORTISOL - Stress hormone

INSULIN - Mg is necessary for production, function and transport of Insulin - thus preventing Insulin-resistance /Type 2 diabetes.
SEROTONIN - Mg levels affect mood/emotions

Mg is crucial to the transmission of hormones: Insulin, Thyroid hormones, Estrogens, Testosterone, DHEA and Neurotransmitters: Dopamine, Catecholamines, Serotonine, GABA

Mg needed to activate 3,751 enzymes (Human Magnesome http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23095498 ) e.g. control of digestion, absorption, and for the utilization of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates, bone growth, activation of vitamins. etc. etc..

Mg has roles with DNA - Most Mg inside the cell nucleus is closely connected with nucleic acids and mononucleotides (structural units of RNA and DNA).

Mg & Cholesterol metabolism - lowering LDL cholesterol, raising HDL cholesterol and also lowers blood triglycerides, Mg-deficiency allows higher and/or uncontrolled cholesterol production

Mg is involved in signaling between cells

Mg for Metabolism - Mg is important for metabolism of Ca, K, P, Zn, Cu, Fe, Na, Pb, Cd, HCl, Acetylcholine, and Nitric Oxide (NO).

Mg determines body's potassium levels - If Mg is insufficient potassium will be lost in the urine. Mg further maintains the permeability, flexibility and stability of membranes.

Mg required for production of body's major antioxidant - Glutathione synthesis

Mg is anti-inflammatory

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What happens when Mg intake is insufficient?

If magnesium becomes depleted within the cell from its normal level, then calcium increases inside the cell – i.e. the intracellular Mg : Ca ratio decreases having an impact on cell functions, which incidentally also are all aspects of the stress response (“Fight-or-Flight” reaction). In a life-threatening crisis, such reactions can be life-saving as they allow a person to perform with unusual strength and speed, and then levels return to normal when the stress is over. However, when a low intracellular Mg : Ca ratio is due to nutrient deficiency, these become chronic conditions:

--In blood vessel smooth muscle cells - causes vasoconstriction, arterial stiffness, and/or hypertension
--In heart cells- causes enlargement (hypertrophy)
--In blood platelet cells -causes increased aggregation, stickiness and clotting
--In fat and skeletal muscle cells – makes them less able to respond to Insulin-resistance
--In pancreatic beta cells –causes them to produce more INSULIN - causing hyperinsulinemia, which may lead to hypoglycemia and sodium retention/hypertension
--In neurons - increases nerve cell activity
--In endocrine tissues – increases their response

references: “The Magnesium Factor”, by Mildred S. Seelig M.D., MPH, Andrea Rosanoff, PhD , “The Magnesium Miracle”, by Dr. Carol Dean, healyourselfathome. com