Magnesium (Mg) is the fourth most abundant mineral in the human body, after calcium, sodium and potassium and the second most common intracellular cation after potassium. Magnesium is an important mineral that plays a role in over 300 enzymatic reactions in the body. It serves critical roles in neuromuscular function including supporting heart, muscle and nervous system health, as well as bone mineralisation to maintain healthy teeth and bones. When there is suboptimal dietary intake of magnesium, it can compromise cellular activity, especially in the tissues of the heart, muscles, and nerves.1,2
Over the last 30 to 40 years, magnesium intake has declined in multiple industrialised countries due to behavioural changes in the way societies consume and prepare food. Evidence suggests that nearly two-thirds of the population in the western world is not reaching the recommended daily intakes for magnesium. In Australia, data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics suggests that one in three Australians over the age of two do not meet their Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) for daily intake of magnesium (37% of males and 34% of females do not meet this requirement). The same national survey also revealed that 72% of teenage girls and 61% of teenage boys (ages 14 to 18) did not meet the EAR. Inadequate intake of magnesium may impair biochemical processes that are specifically dependent on this important mineral.2,3
Several factors may contribute to suboptimal magnesium intake and deficiency states:2
- The main cause of magnesium deficiency is chronic low intake from dietary sources
- Lower levels of magnesium are found in processed foods and some non-organic foods, as well as as meat, sugar and flour, which comprise a significant portion of conventional Western diets
- Heating processes such as cooking and boiling can result in significant decline in magnesium content
- Vitamin D deficiency is common and may cause a reduction in the absorption of gastrointestinal magnesium
- Certain medications, such as antibiotics, antacids and hypertensive drugs can diminish the absorption of magnesium
- Cigarette smoking reduces plasma magnesium concentrations
- The absorption of magnesium may decline with age by as much as 30%
