The mineral magnesium is important for every organ in the body, particularly the heart, muscles, and kidneys. It also contributes to the composition of teeth and bones.
Between 50% to 60% of body magnesium is located within bone, where it is thought to form a surface constituent of the hydroxyapatite mineral component.
Magnesium plays an important role in normal calcium and phosphorus metabolism in man.
Calcium and magnesium levels in the fluid surrounding cells affect the migration of a number of different cell types. Such effects on cell migration important in would healing.
Extracellular magnesium concentrations are critical to the maintenance of electrical potential of nerve and muscle membranes and for transmission of impulse across neuromuscular junctions.
Magnesium is required at a number of steps during the synthesis of nucleic acids and proteins. It plays structural roles in DNA, cell membranes and chromosomes.
A number of enzymes participating the synthesis of carbohydrates and lipids require magnesium for their activity. Magnesium plays a key role in more than 350 enzymes primarily as Mg-ATP complex in energy dependent activities.
Most importantly, it activates enzymes, contributes to energy production, and helps regulate calcium levels as well as copper, zinc, potassium, vitamin D, and other important nutrients in the body.
Magnesium is involved in virtually every metabolic process occurring in the body, including active transport such as the sodium potassium ATPase pump, and cell signaling. It also takes part in the phosphorylation metabolic pathways.
Function of magnesium in human body
