Magnesium and Its Essential Role in Health

Magnesium has a very important role and function in life. It is one of the familiar metals that, in minute amounts, is necessary for body’s proper metabolism to occur. It normally occurs at low concentrations and is known as a trace metal. Its bioavailability may change due to aging. A number of surveys show magnesium intake by old persons to be lower than the corresponding reference nutrient intakes, however, its deficiency among the elderly is also well documented, especially among the institutionalised and people with pathologies . The absorption of minerals is dependent on many different factors, not the least of which is age, as well as adequacy of stomach acid output, balance of bowel flora, presence or lack of intestinal illness and parasites and amount of dietary fibre intake. Aging increases the risk of gastric atrophy, a condition that commonly is associated with a decreased secretion of hydrochloric acid in the stomach. The problem becomes when level of hydrochloric acid output decreases and the body’s ability to absorb minerals from the food-bound form diminishes. This inability to adequately absorb minerals contributes to ageassociated degeneration. Gastric atrophy or conditions such as achlorhydria (lack of stomach acid) or hypochlorhydria (inadequate stomach acid) can also impair the body’s absorption of important minerals. Achlorhydria has been found in children as young as five or six years of age. Hypochlorhydria, however, is more commonly seen after age 35. It is estimated that between 15-35 percent of adults over age of 60 have some degree of gastric atrophy including hypochlorhydria. The absorption and efficient use of minerals in the body can also be affected by excessive levels of non-essential mineral contaminants such as aluminum, arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury. These toxic minerals can have an “unbalancing” effect on the body’s cells. The body has a need for approximately 70 friendly trace element heavy metals, but there are another 12 poisonous heavy metals such as Lead, Mercury, Aluminum, Arsenic, Cadmium, Nickel etc. that act as poisonous interference to the enzyme systems and metabolism of the body. In general, heavy metals (HM) are systemic toxins with specific neurotoxic, nephrotoxic, fetotoxic and teratogenic effects. Heavy metals can directly influence behaviour by impairing mental and neurological function, influencing neurotransmitter production and utilization and altering numerous metabolic body processes. Systems in which toxic metal elements can induce impairment and dysfunction include the blood and cardiovascular, eliminative pathways (colon, liver, kidneys, skin), endocrine (hormonal), energy production pathways, enzymatic, gastrointestinal, immune, nervous (central and peripheral), reproductive, and urinary. Chronic symptoms frequently associated with excessive accumulation of heavy metals include fatigue, musculoskeletal pain, neurological disorders, depression, failing memory and allergic hypersensitivity. Heavy metals disrupt a vast array of metabolic processes. Heavy metals alter pro-oxidant/antioxidant balance and bind to free sulfhydryl groups, resulting in inhibition of glutathione metabolism, numerous enzymes and hormone function. Nutritionally, HM are directly antagonistic to essential trace elements and compete with nutrient elements for binding sites on transport and storage proteins, metalloenzymes and receptors. Disruption of the metabolism and balance of nutrient elements result in marked aberrations in the metabolism of carbohydrate, protein/amino acids, lipids, neurotransmitters and hormones. Lead and mercury are well known for their direct, destructive effects on neuronal function while cadmium and lead have direct adverse effects on cells in the arterial wall. In this commentary, the role of Magnesium in health and diseases is discussed.