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Low Magnesium Levels Increase Disease Risk, Study Shows

A new Australian study has identified why a diet rich in magnesium is so important for our health, reducing the risk of DNA damage and chronic degenerative disorders.

Scientists from the University of South Australia (UniSA) measured blood samples from 172 middle-aged adults, finding a strong link between low magnesium levels and high amounts of a genotoxic amino acid called homocysteine.

This toxic combination damages the body’s genes, making people more susceptible to Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, gastrointestinal diseases, a range of cancers, and diabetes.

Wholegrains, dark green leafy vegetables, nuts, beans, and dark chocolate are all magnesium-rich foods that 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.

UniSA molecular biologist Permal Deo, PhD, says a low intake of magnesium (less than 300 mg per day) can increase the risk of many diseases, but its role in preventing DNA damage hasn’t been fully studied in humans until now.

“Our study showed a direct correlation between low magnesium levels in blood (less than 18 mg/L) and increased DNA damage, even after adjusting for gender and age,” Deo says.

“Blood levels of magnesium, homocysteine (Hcy), folate, and vitamin B12 were measured, showing an inverse correlation between magnesium and Hcy, and a positive correlation between magnesium, folate, and vitamin B12. This indicates that sufficiently high magnesium levels in the blood are essential to protect our genes from toxicity caused by homocysteine, which is increased when folate and vitamin B12 are deficient.”

Coauthor Michael Fenech, PhD, an adjunct professor at UniSA, says chronic magnesium deficiency is likely to disrupt the body’s ability to produce energy and power cells, causing accelerated tissue aging and making people more susceptible to early onset of many diseases.
Magnesium is the fourth most abundant mineral present in the human body. More than 600 enzymes require it as a cofactor and almost 200 require it to activate critical processes in the body.

“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,” Fenech says.

Source: University of South Australia