Naturopathic Information - Magnesium powder

Magnesium plays an important role in the structure and function of the human body. Over 60% of all the magnesium in the body is found in the skeleton, and about 27% is found in muscle.¹ Magnesium is involved in over 300 essential metabolic processes and is therefore an essential mineral for the body. Mild magnesium deficiency is quite common especially for the elderly, those on restrictive diets and people who partake in regular, strenuous exercise.² Another important nutrient is Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) which can be found in all cell membranes, particularly in tissues with high metabolic requirements such as the heart, brain, liver and kidneys. CoQ10 is naturally produced in the body however levels start to continuously decrease after their peak at 20 years of age.⁴

Energy

• Magnesium is required for the metabolism of glucose and the production of cellular energy²
• CoQ10 plays a vital role in the production of ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the form of energy used by cells.³

Heart

• The heart is the most susceptible of all the organs to free radical oxidative stress which may result in heart disease. CoQ10 is a potent anti-oxidant that can help to reduce the risk of free radical damage.⁵
• CoQ10 is vital for all energy dependent processes including heart muscle contraction.
• Magnesium is an important nutrient for the cardiovascular system⁶

Muscle and Bone

• Magnesium is necessary to maintain normal blood calcium levels, and is important for bone mineral density.⁷
• Magnesium is involved in muscle relaxation and may help relieve muscle tension

Recovery

• Strenuous physical activity can deplete the body of magnesium so people who exercise regularly may require additional magnesium.⁸
• Heavy physical exercise enhances free radical production in skeletal muscle and other tissues.⁹
• CoQ10 may assist recovery following strenuous exercise by helping reduce free radical damage.¹⁰

References

1. Linus Pauling Institute, Magnesium, Micronutrient Information Center. http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/minerals/magnesium/index.html (27 Sept 2004)
2. Hendler, Sheldon Saul. The Doctors’ Vitamin and Mineral Encyclopedia. New York: Fireside, 1990. pp. 157-164.
3. Linus Pauling Institute, Coenzyme Q10, Micronutrient Information Center. http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/othernuts/coq10/index.html (14 Sept 2010)
4. Kalen, A., E. L. Appelkvist, et al.. Age-related changes in the lipid compositions of rat and human tissues. Lipids; 1989 24(7): 579-584.
5. Sinatra, S. T. and J. DeMarco. Free radicals, oxidative stress, oxidised low density lipoprotein (LDL), and the heart: antioxidants and other strategies to limit cardiovascular damage. Connecticut Medicine. 1995; 59(10): 579-588
6. Liao, F., Folsom, A. R., and F. L. Brancati. Is low magnesium concentration a risk factor for coronary heart disease? The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study. American Heart Journal. 1998; 136:3, pp. 480-90.
7. Ilich, Jasminka Z., and Jane E. Kerstetter. Nutrition in bone health revisited: a story beyond calcium. Journal of the American College of Nutrition. 2000; 19:6 pp. 715-37
8. Golf, S. W., Bender, S., and J. Gruttner. On the Significance of Magnesium in Extreme Physical Stress. Cardiovascular Drugs and Therapy. 12 (18998), pp. 197-202)
9. Ji, L. L. Antioxidants and oxidative stress in exercise. Proceedings of the Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine. 1999; 222: 283-292.
10. Ylikoski, T., J. Piirainen, et al.The effect of Co-enzyme Q10 on the exercise performance of cross-country skiers. Molecular Aspects in Medicine 1997;18 S283-S290