Magnesium basics

TLDR

Magnesium is a cofactor in many enzymatic reactions, and its imbalance—especially hypomagnesemia—can cause neuromuscular, cardiac, and nervous disorders, with serum magnesium measurement being a practical but imperfect indicator of total body status. This review examines magnesium’s natural occurrence, physiological roles, absorption and excretion, and the clinical implications of hypo‑ and hypermagnesemia.

Abstract

As a cofactor in numerous enzymatic reactions, magnesium fulfils various intracellular physiological functions. Thus, imbalance in magnesium status—primarily hypomagnesaemia as it is seen more often than hypermagnesaemia—might result in unwanted neuromuscular, cardiac or nervous disorders. Measuring total serum magnesium is a feasible and affordable way to monitor changes in magnesium status, although it does not necessarily reflect total body magnesium content. The following review focuses on the natural occurrence of magnesium and its physiological function. The absorption and excretion of magnesium as well as hypo- and hypermagnesaemia will be addressed.