Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Jürgen Vormann
Institute for Prevention and Nutrition, Ismaning/Munich, Germany
Magnesium (Mg) is essential for every cell as it is a cofactor for more than 500 enzymatic reactions. As a divalent cation, Mg cross-links negatively charged components of the cell membrane and leads to charge shielding of cell surface, thereby reducing neuromuscular, muscular and cardiac excitability and explaining the antispasmodic effect. Dietary surveys show that the average Mg intake has declined significantly over the last 100 years. Currently, about 50% of the population in the USA has an insufficient intake of Mg. Similar tendencies were found in studies from Great Britain and Germany. Mg deficiency can also result from the use of widely used medications (PPI, diuretics, etc.). Extensive epidemiological and intervention studies demonstrate the clinical significance of magnesium in heart disease, diabetes and neurophysiological problems such as migraine or dementia. Routinely, only plasma Mg concentrations are determined, as there is still no simple, fast, and accurate laboratory test to determine the body’s total Mg status in humans. The reference interval for plasma Mg concentration should be set at 0.85 to 0.95 mmol/l.