The human body contains over 20 g of magnesium, which corresponds to 0.35 g / kg, or 0.34% of the body mass. Combined with calcium and phosphorus, magnesium is an essential constituent of hydroxyapatite - the structural mineral of bone tissue. About 60-65% of the body's total magnesium is found mineralized in the skeleton. On the other hand, a minority share, however very important on a biological level, is localized in intracellular liquids and plasma. 32-35% of magnesium is complexed to proteins and nucleic acids, while only 1-2% in plasma and other minor deposition forms.
Magnesium-based formulas are used in the pharmaceutical industry to synthesize laxatives, antacids - for example the well-known "milk of magnesia" - stabilizers of certain nervous anomalies and remedies for eclampsia.
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Magnesium also reacts exothermically with most acids such as hydrochloric acid (HCl), producing metal chloride and hydrogen gas, similar to the reaction between HCl and aluminum, zinc and many other metals. this reaction justifies its use as an antacid in drugs.
Vegetables, such as oily and starchy seeds and vegetables are dietary sources of magnesium. Deficiency, which is not frequent in healthy, sedentary people and who follow a balanced diet, is instead possible in subjects with accentuated sweating, in endurance athletes - independently of this last factor - in the presence of severe dysentery and functional pathologies of the kidneys and / or endocrine. Magnesium deficiency, in the physiological field, is identified with muscle cramps, weakness, fatigue and asthenia. There are various types of food supplements based on magnesium, to be taken especially in the doubt that the diet is not sufficient to cover the needs. Excess is rare and, generally, also linked to functional pathologies of the kidneys, of the hormonal axis and to the intake of drugs that contain it.
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The presence of intracellular magnesium is closely related to that of potassium. Any increase contributes to lower calcium levels and can prevent hypercalcemia or even cause hypocalcemia - depending on the starting level.
The metabolism of magnesium is significantly influenced by parathyroid hormone, but the management of absorption and excretion play a major role in ensuring its stability in blood levels.
Detection of magnesium in serum and plasma
Nutritional status specifically related to magnesium intake can be assessed by measuring serum and erythrocyte concentrations, urinary and faecal content. However, intravenous magnesium loading tests remain more accurate and practical. Retention 20% or more of the injection indicates an actual deficiency. No biomarker is known.
Plasma or serous magnesium concentrations may be monitored to determine the efficacy or safety of certain drug therapies, to confirm the diagnosis in potential poisoning victims, or to verify a fatal overdose. Infants of mothers who have received magnesium sulfate for injecting during labor may exhibit toxicity even with normal serum magnesium levels.
, is favored by the plasma content of vitamin D but is hampered by some nutritional concentrations. In particular, both the excess and the lack of proteins have an inhibitory function on the uptake of the ion, as well as the presence of phytic and oxalic acid, or the excess of phosphates, calcium and fats. Unabsorbed magnesium is excreted in the stool. Note: only 30-40% of the magnesium in food is absorbed by the body. For more information, see the article dedicated to the absorption of magnesium: Magnesium absorption - Diet and supplements.
The excretion of magnesium occurs mainly in the urine, by renal filtration, and by sweating. The importance of the latter can vary according to the entity.
(borlotti beans, soybeans, azuki, eyed beans, lentils, chickpeas, broad beans, peas, lupins, etc.) - dried fruit (walnuts, almonds, etc.), cocoa, whole grains (wheat, rice, rye, etc.). magnesium is also abundant in some spices, sweet fruits and vegetables, especially green leafy vegetables, since it is a fundamental constituent of chlorophyll (spinach, lettuce, rocket, green radicchio, etc.).We reiterate again that only 30-40% of the magnesium present in food is absorbed by the body. For more information see also: Foods with magnesium.
of magnesium for the adult man amounts to 300-500 mg, but increases significantly in particular conditions such as: increased sweating, diarrhea, vomiting, renal impairment, drug therapies such as antihypertensive diuretics, certain antibiotics, etc.
In the UK, the recommended daily values for magnesium are 300 mg for men and 270 mg for women. In the United States, the recommended dietary allowances (RDAs) are 400 mg for men between the ages of 19 and 30 and 420 mg for the elderly, and 310 mg for women between the ages of 19-30 and 320 mg for women. elderly.
with proton pump inhibitors. Most cases of magnesium deficiency are asymptomatic, but symptoms referable to anorexia, nausea, vomiting, neuromuscular dysfunction - increased excitability and cramps - cardiovascular dysfunction - arrhythmia, vasodilation - metabolic dysfunction and coma can occur. often associated with magnesium deficiency. Chronically low serum levels of the mineral are related to metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes mellitus, fasciculation, arterial hypertension, some changes in hormonal settings and some drug therapies.
Deepening
Hypomagnesemia was found after prolonged activities with probable repercussions on performance due to the reduction of the protective action that magnesium exerts on the integrity of the muscle cell. It has been hypothesized that magnesium has an important action in favoring the release of oxygen. to muscle cells during sports activities.This characteristic would be mediated by the ratio between the erythrocyte levels of magnesium and 2.3 diphosphoglycerate.
The nutritional deficiency of magnesium and, more frequently, hypomagnesemia, determine: asthenia, cramps, tremors, apathy, muscle weakness and convulsions.
For further information: Magnesium deficiency - magnesium supplements.
of the Central Nervous System (CNS) causing: hypotension, drowsiness and muscle weakness, prostration, disturbances of cardiac - arrhythmia - and respiratory activity, confusion, coma and cardiac arrest. This occurrence occurs especially when, in addition to decreasing the excretion of the mineral, its intake is increased - for example by certain drugs such as antacids or laxatives.Read also: Magnesium: toxic when you least expect it.
based on magnesium.This need does not derive solely from the need to deal with an absolute deficiency - difficult to find - as for the urgency to maintain intra and extracellular electrolyte balances. For this reason, magnesium should be taken together with other mineral salts, such as sodium and especially potassium - would you like to know more? See also: Magnesium and potassium.
A specific magnesium supplement may also prove useful in the treatment of pre-menstrual syndrome; for more information read also: Magnesium and premenstrual syndrome.
Among the magnesium compounds most used for supplementation we remember: Magnesium pidolate, Magnesium chloride, Magnesium orotate, Magnesium oxide and Magnesium supreme.
Numerous magnesium-based pharmaceutical preparations and dietary supplements are available on the market. In two studies carried out on humans, magnesium oxide, one of the most widely used chemical forms - due to its high mineral content - was found to be less bioavailable than magnesium citrate, chloride, lactate or aspartate. For further information: Magnesium Salts - Which to choose?
, oxygen and silicon, which make up 13% of the planet's mass and a large fraction of the outer mantle. It is the third most abundant element dissolved in seawater, after sodium and chlorine. Magnesium occurs naturally only in combination with other elements and invariably in a +2 oxidative state.In free form - metallic - it can be artificially produced and is highly reactive - although in the atmosphere it quickly becomes covered with a thin layer of oxide which partially inhibits its reactivity. The free metal burns with a characteristic white and bright light.
The metal is today mainly obtained by electrolysis of marine magnesium salts and is mainly used in combination with aluminum for the formation of special alloys characterized by lightness and strength.
Magnesium is the third most used structural metal, followed by iron and aluminum. The main applications of magnesium are, in this order: aluminum alloys, die casting - alloyed with zinc - removal of sulfur in the production of iron and steel, and the production of titanium in the Kroll process.
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