Aug 12, 2024

Low magnesium levels increase disease risk, new study shows

Low magnesium levels increase disease risk, new 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.  [iStock].

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 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,  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. 

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

“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,” Dr 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.” 

Co-author Professor Michael Fenech says chronic magnesium deficiency is likely to disrupt the body’s  ability to produce energy and power cells, causing accelerated tissue ageing 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 co-factor 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,”  Prof Fenech says.. 

The findings have been published in the European Journal of Nutrition. 

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