Skip to main content
Medicine LibreTexts

13.5: Magnesium Ions

  • Page ID
    1400
  • \( \newcommand{\vecs}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \) \( \newcommand{\vecd}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash {#1}}} \)\(\newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\) \( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\) \( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \(\newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\) \( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\) \( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)\(\newcommand{\AA}{\unicode[.8,0]{x212B}}\)

    Magnesium is an electrolyte, but that is not considered its major function in the body. Green leafy vegetables, beans, nuts, seeds, and whole grains are good sources of magnesium. 40-60% of consumed magnesium is absorbed at normal levels of intake. Magnesium is excreted primarily in urine. 55-60% of magnesium in the body is found in bone. Some (30%) of this bone magnesium is believed to be exchangeable, or can be used to maintain blood concentrations, similar to how calcium in bones can be used to maintain blood concentrations.

    Magnesium helps to stabilize ATP and nucleotides by binding to phosphate groups. Magnesium plays a role in over 300 enzymes in the body. Here is a list of some of the physiological processes that magnesium participates in:

    Magnesium deficiency is rare, but can be caused by prolonged diarrhea or vomiting. Symptoms include1:

    • Irregular heartbeat
    • Muscle spasms
    • Disorientation
    • Seizures
    • Nausea
    • Vomiting

    Magnesium toxicity is also rare but can occur from excessive use of antacids or laxatives. Symptoms include3:

    • Diarrhea
    • Nausea
    • Flushing
    • Double vision
    • Slurred speech
    • Weakness
    • Paralysis

    Magnesium supplements differ in percent of magnesium in the different forms, as shown below.

    Figure 13.51 Percent magnesium in oral supplements4. 4. www.health-choices-for-life.c...pplements.html

    The bioavailability of magnesium oxide is significantly lower than magnesium chloride, magnesium lactate, and magnesium aspartate. The latter 3 are equally bioavailable4.

    References & Links

    1. Byrd-Bredbenner C, Moe G, Beshgetoor D, Berning J. (2009) Wardlaw's perspectives in nutrition. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.
    2. McGuire M, Beerman KA. (2011) Nutritional sciences: From fundamentals to food. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Cengage Learning.
    3. Gropper SS, Smith JL, Groff JL. (2008) Advanced nutrition and human metabolism. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Publishing.

    This page titled 13.5: Magnesium Ions is shared under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Brian Lindshield via source content that was edited to the style and standards of the LibreTexts platform; a detailed edit history is available upon request.

    • Was this article helpful?