Magnesium

Magnesium in the human

body
• Ranks second as intracellular
cation.
• First being potassium
• 0.05 % of body weight
• 35g in a 70 kg human being

• Total body Magnesium

• 55 – 60 % in skeleton
• 20 – 25% in soft tissue such as
muscle
• 1% in body fluids
 Digestion & Absorption

Digestion- not required

Absorption
• Occurs mainly in the small intestine, but may occur
in large intestine

• In general, 40-60% absorption, but varies with status

and intake

• Two mechanisms for absorption

• Active transport at lower intakes (transporter
TRPM6)
• Passive diffusion at higher levels
 Absorption
Table 11.8
• Dietary factors promoting absorption
• Vitamin D (calcitriol) – increases transport protein?
• Fructose – increases solubility
• Lactose – increases solubility
• Dietary factors inhibiting absorption
• Phytate (legumes, nuts, grains) – binds magnesium
• Fiber – binds magnesium?
• Unabsorbed fatty acids – binds magnesium
(steatorrhea-forms soaps-feces excretion)
• Magnesium and phosphorus form a complex
within the gastrointestinal tract to render each other
unavailable
 Transport and Storage
Transport
• 50-55% free (ionized)
• 33% bound to proteins, like
albumin and globulins
• 13% complexed to anions, like
sulfate, phosphate, and citrate
Storage
• “Functional stores” on surface of
bones
• Most intracellular magnesium
is bound to nucleic acids, ATP,
proteins, and phospholipids
Like calcium, it is ionized magnesium that is physiologically
active, ionized magnesium (after release) is taken up by
cells/tissues for use.
 Functions
• Mineralization of bone - Mg(OH)2 and Mg(PO4)2
• Stabilization of cell membrane
• Production of energy (Mg stabilizes ATP)
• 300 different enzymatic reactions
• Synthesis of protein , nucleic acids
• Transport of ions (like potassium and calcium) through cell
membranes
• Action of insulin (production, release, and action/signaling,
with magnesium promoting cellular glucose uptake and
utilization)
• Blood coagulation (reducing platelet aggregation and thus
thrombosis formation)
 Reactions Mg++ Assists

• Glycolysis: hexokinase, glucokinase, and phospho-fructokinase

• TCA cycle: oxidative decarboxylation
• Pentose phosphate pathway (hexose monophosphate shunt): transketolase
reaction
• Creatine phosphate formation: creatine kinase
• Oxidation: initiation by thiokinase (acyl-CoA synthetase)
• Activities of alkaline phosphatase and pyrophosphatase
• Amino acid activation and protein synthesis
• Hydroxylation of vitamin D in the 25-position; this hydroxylation is the first of
two reactions needed to produce the active form of vitamin D
• Pyrimidine and purine synthesis (for DNA and RNA synthesis)
• DNA replication/synthesis and degradation, as well as the physical integrity of
the DNA helix and conformation of nucleic acids
• RNA transcription.
 Excretion
Urinary
• Major route for excretion of excess
• Daily losses dependent on intake
Fecal
• Minor route for excretion
• Fecal losses are mainly due to unabsorbed
magnesium
Skin
• Minor route for excretion
• Daily losses average 15 mg
 Interactions
Vitamin D
• Enhances magnesium absorption ~ (PTH)
Calcium
• Inhibits magnesium absorption
• May compete for renal reabsorption
Phosphorus
• Inhibits magnesium absorption
Protein
• Enhances magnesium absorption
• Enhances renal reabsorption
 Recommended Intakes
RDA

Adults, 19-30 years

• Females 310 mg
• Males 400 mg

Adults, 31 years and older

• Females 320 mg
• Males 420 mg
 Assessment of Nutritive

Assessment of magnesium status is

difficult because extracellular magnesium
represents only about 1% of total body
magnesium and appears to be regulated.

Despite low sensitivity and specificity,

plasma/serum magnesium concentrations
are routinely measured to assess
magnesium status
 Dietary Sources
Beverages
• Coffee, tea & cocoa

Whole grain cereals & grains

• Barley and oats
Beans
• Navy, pinto, kidney, garbanzo

Nuts and seeds

• Peanut butter and sunflower seeds
• Spinach (chlorophyll that is found in the
green leafy vegetables that contains
magnesium)

• Milk and meat are moderate sources

 Dietary Sources
Food Serving Magnesium
Spinach 1c 150 mg
Halibut 3 oz 90 mg
100% Bran ½c 93 mg
Cereal
Brown Rice 1c 86 mg
Almonds 1 oz 78 mg
Shredded Wheat 1 oz 61 mg
Chocolate 2 oz 48 mg
Milk 1c 34 mg
 Deficiency
Rare
Individuals at risk
Those with underlying conditions or diseases that
impair magnesium absorption or renal excretion
ü Crohn’s, celiac, diabetes, renal disease, HTN,
PIH, post surgical complications
Symptoms
• Gastrointestinal upset
• Muscular symptoms
• Neurological abnormalities
Treatment
• Treatment of underlying cause
• Replenishment with magnesium
 Toxicity
• Individuals at risk
• Those with very high intakes (from supplements) AND poor renal
function

• Intakes above UL of 350 mg (from supplements)

• Diarrhea
• Slurred speech, muscle weakness
• Cardiac and respiratory arrest
• increased excretion of Ca, P, and K
• renal damage