Possessing a positive electric charge (+), the magnesium and potassium ions are both cations (Mg ++ and K +).
Magnesium is an essential element in the constitution of over 300 enzymes - including the sodium-potassium pump - in the biochemistry of nucleic acids - such as DNA - it intervenes in the regulation of the excitability of nerve and muscle membranes, in synaptic transmission () and it is found for 60-65% mineralized in the bones.
Enter me, in the ionized form, are mainly intracellular.
For further information: MagnesiumPotassium regulates neuromuscular excitability, heart rhythm, osmotic pressure, acid-base balance and water retention; good levels of potassium in the diet hinder the deleterious function of excess dietary sodium and tend to normalize blood pressure.
For further information: PotassiumNote: magnesium and potassium, when bound to other compounds such as citric acid and carbonate (for example potassium citrate and supreme magnesium), can take on an alkalizing role.
Having a rather high requirement, since their presence is consistent inside the tissues - both in solid form, such as magnesium in bones, and in ionized form and diluted in biological fluids - for man magnesium and potassium are real and own macroelements - all those mineral salts present in the order of grams or tenths of a gram belong to this category.
For further information: Mineral saltsThe daily requirement of magnesium and potassium is, for a sedentary adult subject, of: 300-500 mg / day of magnesium and 2000-3000 mg / day of potassium. This is because these minerals are contained in the human body in quantities of 0.34% (22-26 g in total) for magnesium, and 0.4% for potassium.
Magnesium and potassium are found in both plant foods and those of animal origin. However, vegetables, fruit, whole grains, legumes and certain oil seeds should be considered as primary nutritional sources; discrete levels even in algae.
Due to the ease with which a nutritional deficiency of magnesium and potassium can be found, in healthy subjects potentially due to excessive sweating and an unbalanced diet, these two mineral salts are among the most used ingredients ever for the formulation of food supplements. Together with water, they become essential for maintaining the hydro-saline balance of athletes.
While the toxicity of magnesium and potassium for a healthy organism is practically impossible to achieve, thanks to a very fine mechanism of absorption-excretion regulation, in subjects affected by renal insufficiency or hormonal alterations (for example of parathyroid hormone), the plasma excess can cause complications even lethal (by altering heart rhythm and blood pressure).
food with moisturizing and diuretic purposes. The rationale for this association lies in the close biological correlation between the levels of the two minerals in the organism.Magnesium, in fact, represents an essential cofactor for the activity of the sodium / potassium pump, responsible for the transport of sodium ions in the extracellular environment and of potassium ions in the environment inside the cells.
This transport takes place against a concentration gradient and must therefore exploit the energy deriving from the hydrolysis of ATP. For what has been said, magnesium deficiencies can limit the functionality of this pump, reducing intracellular potassium concentrations and increasing sodium ones.
In practice, magnesium deficiencies can lead to greater potassium losses. It is therefore not surprising that in many patients who are sick, dehydrated or treated with thiazide diuretics, magnesium and potassium deficiencies (hypokalaemia + hypomagnesaemia) are identified simultaneously.
The fact that magnesium - just like potassium - is a mainly intracellular ion, means that very often its dosage in the blood does not reflect the real state of the organic reserves; a reduction in the serum concentrations of this mineral can therefore be a very late signal of hypomagnesemia.
In patients with diagnosed hypokalaemia (potassium deficiency), not resolved by supplementation with specific potassium supplements, the joint administration of magnesium is particularly indicated. A magnesium deficiency not filled, in fact, risks compromising the therapeutic result of the administration of potassium to treat a concomitant hypokalaemia (hypokalaemia or hypokalaemia).
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