It’s long been included among the ‘essential’ minerals on nutritionists”must-have’ lists. But eating the way do these days, it’s easy to get too little magnesium. And it’s a more important nutrient than you might have thought!
A new study by researchers from the University of South Australia (UniSA) warns that many ‘western diet’ devotées are at serious risk of DNA damage and chronic degenerative disorders. All because we’re not getting nearly enough magnesium…
Stark reality
“Our study showed a direct correlation between low magnesium levels in blood (less than 18mg/L) and increased DNA damage, even after adjusting for gender and age,” study co-author Dr. Permal Deo says.
Low magnesium intake is defined as anything below 300 mg per day. That’s a lot more than I thought I needed. And the researchers suggest more than that would be better.
Wide-ranging effects
While it’s not the best-known mineral element in our diets, magnesium has a multitude of uses in our body. And it’s absolutely essential to our well being.
An abstract of the study report underlines, “Whole grains, dark green leafy vegetables, nuts, beans and dark chocolate are all magnesium-rich foods, which help the body produce energy, build teeth and bones, regulate blood sugar and blood pressure, and ensure that the heart, muscles and kidneys all work properly.”
A deficit can lead to dangerously high levels of an amino acid called homocysteine. Which can make people more susceptible to Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, gastrointestinal diseases, a range of cancers, and diabetes.
Magnesium is the fourth most-abundant mineral in the human body. More than 600 enzymes require it as a co-factor and almost 200 require it to activate critical processes in the body. Why aren’t we as concerned about magnesium as we are about iron, phosphorus, potassium or sodium?
A matter of awareness
It’s mainly a matter of awareness, Deo indicates. In fact, it appears that was one of his main reasons for publicising this preliminary study.
Study co-author Professor Michael Fenech adds: “The next step is to determine the optimal dietary intake of magnesium, either through food or supplements and how this could impact the onset or progression of cancer and other chronic diseases.”
My take
I’ll make a point of asking where my magnesium level is when I see my family physician next. I’m due for a full blood and urine panel, anyway. If the number is as low as – or, perish the thought, lower than – the ‘normal’ level quoted by Deo and Fenech, I’m definitely off to the pharmacy for a bottle of supplements…
~ Maggie J.