Magnesium is the fourth most abundant mineral in the body! In fact, all our cells contain magnesium!
Most of it is stored in the bones, muscles, and soft tissues. It plays an important role in numerous body functions.
Importance of Magnesium
Magnesium is a cofactor. Cofactors are not proteins; they attach to a protein, mostly an enzyme, to help activate it. Magnesium is involved in more than 300 enzymatic reactions in the body.
It also plays a crucial role in metabolism by breaking down the food you eat to provide your body with energy. Adenosine triphosphate, or ATP, is the main source of energy in the body. For ATP to be active, it must bind to magnesium.
Magnesium, along with calcium, plays an important role in muscle contraction and relaxation. During exercise, magnesium maintains a balance of electrolytes, both within and outside the muscle cells, thereby preventing muscle cramps.
This process doesn’t just benefit your skeletal muscles, but your heart muscles too! It regulates the rhythmic contraction and relaxation of the heart muscles, thereby keeping a check on your blood pressure.
Magnesium also helps form new bone cells in order to maintain bone strength.
Magnesium Requirements
Studies show that about 68% of the US population does not meet their daily magnesium requirements.
The recommended daily intake is 400 milligrams for adult males and 310 milligrams for adult females.
This varies with age and other factors like pregnancy or underlying health conditions.
Hypomagnesemia and Hypermagnesemia
Magnesium deficiency or hypomagnesemia can lead to muscle weakness, cramping, numbness, irregular heartbeat, loss of appetite, and several other symptoms.
In certain cases, people may also have very high levels of magnesium, and this is termed hypermagnesemia.
The mineral content of these foods depends on the nutritional content of the crop and soil.
Sometimes, you might need magnesium supplements to meet your daily recommended intake.
Genetics of Magnesium Deficiency
The magnesium levels in your body are partly influenced by your genes. CASR is one such gene, which contains instructions for producing a protein called the Calcium Sensing Receptor.
The CASR protein mainly regulates calcium levels but also influences the reabsorption of magnesium in the kidneys.
Certain types of this gene can increase your risk of magnesium deficiency by reducing the reabsorption of magnesium.
Genetic Test For Magnesium Levels
Through a genetic test, you can find out if you have any genetic variations that affect your magnesium levels.
Most genetic tests provide your DNA information in the form of a text file called the raw DNA data. This data may seem like Greek and Latin to you.
Xcode Life, can help you interpret this data. All you have to do is upload your raw data and order a nutrition report. Xcode Life then analyzes your raw data in detail to provide you with comprehensive nutrition analysis, including information on your magnesium levels.
