Aging and Magnesium

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Aging and Magnesium

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The average American consumes only 40 percent of the recommended daily

allowance of magnesium. This has serious consequences in many people. Magnesium

activates 76 percent of the enzymes in the body and many of these enzymes are

in the mitochondrial energy equation.

 

But the problem arises when the cell is low in magnesium, relative to

calcium. Both are vital to cellular function. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) the

" energy currency " of the cell, is magnesium dependent.

 

Without enough " biologically available " magnesium, the cellular calcium pump

slows down. Thus, low levels of available magnesium inhibit the generation

of energy. The end result is that the mitochondrion, the powerhouse of the

cell and the entire body, degenerates.

 

Magnesium supplementation may be indicated when a specific health problem or

condition causes an excessive loss of magnesium or limits magnesium

absorption. It is well-known that some medicines may result in magnesium

deficiency,

including certain diuretics, antibiotics, and cancer drugs.

 

The polyuria ( passing large volumes of urine ) of poorly controlled

diabetes may flush out excess magnesium. Alcoholism is often accompanied by low

magnesium levels. Studies have shown that some 50% of chronic alcoholics have

low

blood levels of magnesium, particularly if associated with poor nutrition

and weight loss.

 

Calcium and potassium deficiencies are often associated with low blood

levels of magnesium due to progressively altered metabolism and subtle

malabsorption and enteropathy ( intestinal disease.)

 

Aging itself constitutes a risk factor for magnesium deficit. The 1999-2000

and 1988-94 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys suggest that

older adults have lower dietary intakes of magnesium than younger adults. In

addition, magnesium absorption decreases and renal excretion of magnesium

increases in older adults.

 

Seniors are also more likely to be taking drugs that interact with

magnesium. This combination of factors places older adults at risk for

magnesium

deficiency. It is very important for older adults to consume recommended

amounts

of dietary magnesium.

 

Dietary surveys suggest that many Americans do not consume recommended

amounts of magnesium however, and there is concern about the prevalence of

sub-optimal magnesium stores in the body. For many people, dietary intake may

not be

high enough to maintain the ideal magnesium levels for prevention of

cardiovascular, immune system and neurophysiological disorders.

 

Experimental and clinical electrophysiological procedures have demonstrated

curious effects of magnesium deficiency on brain wave activity. The pattern

is one of " diffuse irritative tracings " without focal lesions or paroxysmal

discharges.

 

These findings have led to numerous animal studies which have confirmed that

Magnesium deficiency induces comparable electrocorticographic alterations.

This effect of magnesium on brain irritation has suggested the possible

relationship of blood levels of magnesium to behavioral disorders, mood

changes,

dementia and other cognitive dysfunction in the elderly.

 

It is of interest that violence in institutionalized juveniles and inmates

often respond to supplemental magnesium, an observation that corresponds

closely to the findings of brain excitability in magnesium deficient elderly

people.

 

Duane Graveline MD MPH

Former USAF Flight Surgeon

Former NASA Astronaut

Retired Family Doctor

 

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