Magnesium

Question 1

What is magnesium and how abundant is it in the body compared to other cations?

Answer 1

Magnesium is an intracellular ion

It is the 4th most abundant cation in the body behind Na+, K+ and Ca+

Question 2

Normal serum concentration of magnesium?

Answer 2

Low

0.75-0.95 mmol/l

Question 3

Where is magnesium found in the body?

Answer 3

Cells of muscle 27%
Cells of soft tissue 19%
Matrix of bone 53%

Question 4

Functions of magnesium in the body?

Answer 4

Cofactor for many enzymes
Aids in energy metabolism
Nucleic acid synthesis
Shipping ions across membranes

Question 5

What are the food sources of magnesium?

Where in the body is magnesium absorbed from?

Answer 5

Green leafy vegetables
Legumes

Ileum and colon

Question 6

What controls the serum levels of magnesium?

What other ion is controlled in this way?

What happens to excess magnesium?

Answer 6

Kidneys

K+

Excreted

Question 7

When low magnesium occurs, what other ion is often also depleted?

Answer 7

K+

Question 8

Symptoms of low magnesium?

Answer 8

Confusion
Weak muscles
Irregular heart rhythms