Magnesium is an essential mineral found in bones, muscles, and body fluids. It plays important roles in regulating nerves and muscles, protein synthesis, and metabolism. Approximately one third is absorbed from digestion, with the rest excreted. Deficiency can result from conditions like chronic diarrhea, renal failure, or alcoholism, causing symptoms like weakness, tremors, and convulsions. Treatment involves fluid/electrolyte replacement and modifying diet/intake of foods high in magnesium.

1. Macromolecule:
Magnesium
Should be provided in the foods that we eat every
day

2.  Third most abundant mineral in teeth
 One of the major cations in plant & animal tissue
 Essential ion (enzymatic reactions & protein synthesis)
 Found mostly in bones and muscles, cell types and body fluids
 Human body = 20 to 35 mg of Mg
 Essential constituent of bone & soft tissues

3. Functions:
 Regulate body’s nerves &muscles
 Plays a role in protein synthesis
 Activator of numerous coenzymes (carboxylase and co-A)
 Helps in catalyzing the transport of phosphate groups
 Binds mRNA
 Important in synthesis & degradation of DNA
 Critical for normal metabolism& function of the organism

4. Absorption & Excretion
 1/3 is absorbed and utilized in the body
 High intake of other macromolecule (Ca, P, lactose) will
interfere with Mg absorption
 Stored in bone---little excretion through the intestine
 Mg is lost via urine &feces
 Maintenance of the normal level of Mg in the blood
depends on a balance between absorption and renal
excretion of sodium.

5. Magnesium Deficiency
Conditions: Symptoms:
 Chronic malabsoprtion  Hyperexcitability
syndrome
 Behavioral disturbances
 Acute diarrhea
 Weakness
 Chronic renal failure
 Depression
 Chronic alcoholism
 Tremors
 Convulsions

6. Chronic Renal Failure:
Definition: Signs & Symptoms:
 Slow loss of kidney function  Appetite loss
over time
 Nausea
 Headache
Treatment:
 Weight loss
 Controlling blood pressure will
lower further kidney damage
 Eat a healthy balanced diet

7. Chronic Alcoholism
Definition: Signs & Symptoms:
 Primary disease with  Neglecting responsibilities due to
drinking
genetic, psychosocial, and
environmental factors  Tolerance (over time, one needs
influencing its development more and more alcohol to feel
the same effects): 1st major
and manifestations warning sign of alcoholism
 Withdrawal (body is used to
alcohol and experiences
withdrawal symptoms if it’s taken
away): 2nd major warning sign of
alcoholism
 Anxiety
 Depression
 Irritability and so on.

8. Acute Diarrhea
Definition: Signs & Symptoms:
 Abrupt onset of abnormally  Watery stool
high fluid content in the
stool  Abdominal pain
 Fever
Treatment:
 dehydration
 Fluid and electrolyte
replacement
 Dietary modifications
 Drug therapy

9. Chronic malabsorption syndrome
Definition: Signs & Symptoms:
 Alteration in the ability of  Diarrhea
the intestine to absorb
nutrients adequately into  Bloating
the bloodstream
 Flatulence
Treatment:  Weight loss
 Fluid and nutrient  cramping
replacement

10. Hypomagnesemia
Definition: Signs & Symptoms:
 Low levels of Magnesium in  Muscle Weakness
the blood
 Convulsions
 Often leads to
hypocalcemia (inhibition of  Fatigue
parathyroid hormone; does
not resolve until the
magnesium deficiency has Treatment:
been corrected)  Food sources rich in
Magnesium should be
obtained in the diet

11. Sources Dietary allowance
 Mustard greens  Male: 350 mg
 Whole grains  Females: 300 mg
 Nuts
 Soybeans
 Green leafy veggies

12. Thank you and
have a good day.
