A recent Australian study has highlighted the crucial role of magnesium in maintaining health, revealing its importance in reducing DNA damage and the risk of chronic degenerative disorders.
Researchers from the University of South Australia analyzed blood samples from 172 middle-aged adults and discovered a significant link between low magnesium levels and elevated amounts of a harmful amino acid known as homocysteine. This toxic combination can damage genetic material, increasing susceptibility to diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, gastrointestinal disorders, various cancers, and diabetes.
Magnesium is abundant in foods like whole grains, dark green leafy vegetables, nuts, beans, and dark chocolate. These magnesium-rich foods support energy production, bone and tooth health, blood sugar and blood pressure regulation, and proper functioning of the heart, muscles, and kidneys.
Dr. Permal Deo, a molecular biologist at UniSA, notes that while a daily magnesium intake of less than 300 mg has been linked to higher disease risk, its specific role in preventing DNA damage had not been thoroughly investigated in humans until now.
“Our study revealed a direct correlation between low magnesium levels in the blood (below 18 mg/L) and increased DNA damage, even after accounting for age and gender,” Dr. Deo explains. “We found an inverse relationship between magnesium and homocysteine levels, and a positive relationship between magnesium, folate, and vitamin B12. This suggests that adequate magnesium levels are crucial for protecting our genes from the toxicity of homocysteine, which is exacerbated by deficiencies in folate and vitamin B12.”
Co-author Professor Michael Fenech adds that chronic magnesium deficiency can impair the body’s energy production and cellular function, leading to accelerated tissue aging and increased risk of early onset of various diseases. Magnesium is the fourth most abundant mineral in the human body, essential for the function of over 600 enzymes and nearly 200 critical processes.
“The next step is to determine the optimal dietary intake of magnesium, whether through food or supplements, and assess how this might affect the onset or progression of cancer and other chronic conditions,” Professor Fenech concludes.
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