Mechanism of action The important interaction between
phosphate and magnesium ions makes magnesium essential to the basic
nucleic acid chemistry of all cells of all known living organisms. More than 300
enzymes require magnesium ions for their catalytic action, including all enzymes using or synthesizing
ATP and those that use other
nucleotides to synthesize
DNA and
RNA. The ATP molecule is normally found in a
chelate with a magnesium ion.
Nutrition Magnesium intake—especially from diet—may modestly lower
blood pressure and reduce risks of
stroke and
sudden cardiac death, but evidence is mixed, effects are small, and more robust
clinical trials are needed to clarify its role in
cardiovascular disease prevention.
Diet Nuts, cereals, cocoa and vegetables are good sources of magnesium. Green leafy vegetables such as spinach are also rich in magnesium.
Dietary recommendations In the
UK, the recommended daily values by the
Dietary Reference Intake for magnesium are for men and for women. In the U.S. the
Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs) are for men ages 19–30 and for older; for women for ages 19–30 and for older.
Supplementation Numerous
pharmaceutical preparations of magnesium and
dietary supplements are available. Most people get enough magnesium through a
healthy diet, though supplements may help in specific conditions like magnesium deficiency, pregnancy complications, or certain chronic health issues. A 2014
literature review found limited evidence supporting oral magnesium supplementation for
migraine prevention, suggesting that increasing dietary magnesium intake may be a more effective option for patients open to lifestyle changes. with 60% in the
skeleton, 39% intracellular (20% in skeletal muscle), and 1% extracellular. and can either prevent hypercalcemia or cause hypocalcemia depending on the initial level.
Detection in serum and plasma Magnesium status may be assessed by measuring serum and erythrocyte magnesium concentrations coupled with
urinary and
fecal magnesium content, but intravenous magnesium loading tests are more accurate and practical. A retention of 20% or more of the injected amount indicates deficiency. As of 2004, no
biomarker has been established for magnesium. Magnesium concentrations in plasma or serum may be monitored for efficacy and safety in those receiving the drug
therapeutically, to confirm the diagnosis in potential poisoning victims. The newborn children of mothers who received
parenteral magnesium sulfate during labor may exhibit toxicity with normal serum magnesium levels.
Deficiency Low plasma magnesium (
hypomagnesemia) is common: it is found in 2.5–15% of the general population. From 2005 to 2006, 48 percent of the United States population consumed less magnesium than recommended in the
Dietary Reference Intake. Other causes are increased renal or gastrointestinal loss, an increased intracellular shift, and proton-pump inhibitor antacid therapy. Most are asymptomatic, but symptoms referable to
neuromuscular,
cardiovascular, and metabolic dysfunction may occur.
Therapy • Intravenous magnesium is recommended by the ACC/AHA/ESC 2006 Guidelines for Management of Patients With Ventricular Arrhythmias and the Prevention of Sudden Cardiac Death for patients with ventricular
arrhythmia associated with
torsades de pointes who present with
long QT syndrome; and for the treatment of patients with digoxin induced arrhythmias. • Intravenous magnesium sulfate is used for the management of
pre-eclampsia and
eclampsia. • Hypomagnesemia, including that caused by alcoholism, is reversible by oral or parenteral magnesium administration depending on the degree of deficiency. • There is limited evidence that magnesium supplementation may play a role in the prevention and treatment of
migraine.
Other medical applications Sorted by type of magnesium salt, other therapeutic applications include: •
Magnesium sulfate, as the
heptahydrate, also known as
epsom salts from its source mineral, is used as bath salts, a laxative, and a highly soluble fertilizer. •
Magnesium hydroxide, suspended in water, is used in
milk of magnesia antacids and laxatives. •
Magnesium chloride,
oxide,
gluconate,
malate,
orotate,
glycinate,
ascorbate and
citrate are all used as oral magnesium supplements. • Magnesium
borate,
salicylate, and
sulfate are used as
antiseptics. •
Magnesium stearate is a slightly flammable white powder with lubricating properties. In
pharmaceutical technology, it is used in pharmacological manufacture to prevent
tablets from sticking to the equipment while compressing the ingredients into tablet form. •
Magnesium carbonate powder is used by athletes such as gymnasts, weightlifters, and climbers to eliminate palm sweat, prevent sticking, and improve the grip on gymnastic apparatus, lifting bars, and climbing rocks.
Overdose Overdose from dietary sources alone is unlikely because excess magnesium in the blood is promptly filtered by the
kidneys. Overdose is more likely in the presence of impaired renal function. and severe
hypermagnesemia in a woman and a young girl who had healthy kidneys. The most common symptoms of overdose are nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea; other symptoms include
hypotension, confusion, slowed heart and
respiratory rates, deficiencies of other minerals,
coma,
cardiac arrhythmia, and death from
cardiac arrest. Magnesium in the center of the
porphyrin ring in chlorophyll functions in a manner similar to the iron in the center of the porphyrin ring in
heme.
Magnesium deficiency in plants causes late-season yellowing between leaf veins, especially in older leaves, and can be corrected by either applying epsom salts (which is rapidly leached), or crushed dolomitic limestone, to the soil. ==Safety precautions==