Magnesium is an essential nutrient. It enables key metabolic processes, contributes to bone strength, and acts as a cofactor in hundreds of enzymatic reactions.1 Despite its central role in physiology and health, magnesium is under-consumed by most Americans, leading to chronic magnesium deficiency and increased risk for multiple serious health conditions, such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and depression.2 The main factors underlying reduced magnesium intake are the declining nutrient content of produce and refined grains and increased consumption of processed foods, both of which are common in the Standard American Diet (SAD). Boosting magnesium intake to recommended levels requires people to improve the quality of their diets by increasing consumption of whole foods, reducing intake of processed foods, and possibly using daily magnesium supplements.
This article reviews the central importance of magnesium in the human body, the causes and consequences of magnesium deficiency, and approaches to improve magnesium status and overall health.
Why Is Magnesium Important?
Magnesium is the fourth most abundant cation in the human body. It plays a central role in energy production, glycolysis, and the synthesis of proteins and nucleic acids (DNA and RNA).1 Among other actions, magnesium is a cofactor for more than 300 enzymes and is essential to cell growth and function, energy storage and production, stabilization of cell membranes, nerve conduction, muscle contraction, and the function of ion channels (Figure 1).3,4
Figure 1. The critical roles of magnesium in the body. 3
Mg++: magnesium
Unfortunately, multiple survey studies from the United States, Europe, and other regions have demonstrated that the recommended daily allowance (RDA) of magnesium remains unmet in a large proportion of the population, likely as a result of SAD dietary patterns.5-8 It is estimated that about half of the US population consumes less than the RDA of magnesium.6,9 The estimated severity of magnesium deficits has led some experts to suggest that many people need ≥300 mg magnesium per day to replete and maintain body stores.10
Wholebody Solutions carries great quality Magnesium Products, including our latest E-Z Mg, which you can easily add to your water.
Learn more about this product here!
Call our office at 617-328-6300 to order or speak to one of our amazing nutritionists about what’s best for you.
Read the full Wholistic Matters article here
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Wholistic Matters is dedicated to advancing the latest insights and information available in nutrition therapy and clinical nutrition and present only the most balanced, credible and reliable clinical nutrition and science available. Partnering with some of the world’s most influential clinical investigators and institutions, this information is designed to keep users current in nutrition practices and improving health outcomes—because wholistic health really does matter.
References
1. Grober U, Schmidt J, Kisters K. Magnesium in Prevention and Therapy. Nutrients. Sep 23 2015;7(9):8199-8226.
2. Volpe SL. Magnesium in disease prevention and overall health. Adv Nutr. May 1 2013;4(3):378S-383S.
3. Rosique-Esteban N, Guasch-Ferre M, Hernandez-Alonso P, Salas-Salvado J. Dietary Magnesium and Cardiovascular Disease: A Review with Emphasis in Epidemiological Studies. Nutrients. Feb 1 2018;10(2).
4. Elin RJ. Assessment of magnesium status for diagnosis and therapy. Magnes Res. Dec 2010;23(4):S194-198.
5. Quann EE, Fulgoni VL, 3rd, Auestad N. Consuming the daily recommended amounts of dairy products would reduce the prevalence of inadequate micronutrient intakes in the United States: diet modeling study based on NHANES 2007-2010. Nutr J. Sep 4 2015;14:90.
6. Moshfegh AG, Goldman J, Ahuja J, Rhodes D, LaComb R. What We Eat in America, NHANES 2005-2006: Usual Nutrient Intakes from Food and Water Compared to 1997 Dietary Reference Intakes for Vitamin D, Calcium, Phosphorus, and Magneisum. . Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Research Service;2009.
7. Wang JL, Shaw NS, Yeh HY, Kao MD. Magnesium status and association with diabetes in the Taiwanese elderly. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2005;14(3):263-269.
8. Olza J, Aranceta-Bartrina J, Gonzalez-Gross M, et al. Reported Dietary Intake, Disparity between the Reported Consumption and the Level Needed for Adequacy and Food Sources of Calcium, Phosphorus, Magnesium and Vitamin D in the Spanish Population: Findings from the ANIBES Study. Nutrients. Feb 21 2017;9(2).
9. Costello RB, Elin RJ, Rosanoff A, et al. Perspective: The Case for an Evidence-Based Reference Interval for Serum Magnesium: The Time Has Come. Adv Nutr. Nov 2016;7(6):977-993.
10. Vormann J. Magnesium: nutrition and metabolism. Mol Aspects Med. Feb-Jun 2003;24(1-3):27-37.