Correcting Magnesium Deficiencies May Prolong Life

In a February 2012 study entitled, “Correcting magnesium deficiencies may prolong life (1)” – the International Space Station provided an extraordinary facility to study the accelerated aging process in microgravity, which could be triggered by significant reductions in magnesium (Mg) ion levels in the body. What was learned in space can be applied to all of us down here on Earth. Magnesium is an antioxidant and calcium blocker which helps lower oxidative stress, prevent insulin resistance, and lowers inflammatory conditions which could add years to your life.

Research to support this appears as early as 1999 in a study which found “Individuals reaching a hundred years of age have higher total body magnesium and lower calcium levels than most elderly people.”(2)

Since magnesium is depleted from soils and diet due to modern farming methods, add years to your life by supplementing with a highly absorbable form of magnesium such as magnesium citrate powder which can be taken with hot or cold water and can be found in most health food or vitamin stores.

In a June 13th, 2012 study (3) found that the majority of elderly type 2 diabetics who have low magnesium intake may compound this deficiency with metabolic abnormalities and depression. Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a major global public health problem in the world and is increasing in aging populations. Magnesium intake may be one of the most important factors for diabetes prevention and management which could add years to your life.

1. Magnesium plays a pivotal role in the secretion and function of insulin; without it, diabetes is inevitable. Measurable magnesium deficiency is common in diabetes and in many of its complications, including heart disease, eye damage, high blood pressure, and obesity. When the treatment of diabetes includes magnesium, these problems are prevented or minimized.

2. The connection between stress, obesity and diabetes cannot be overlooked. The stress chemical cortisol signals a metabolic shutdown that makes losing weight almost impossible. Magnesium can neutralize the effects of stress and is known as the anti-stress mineral.

3. Magnesium helps the body digest, absorb, and utilize proteins, fats, and carbohydrates.

4. Magnesium is necessary for insulin to open cell membranes for glucose.

Since magnesium is depleted from soils and diet due to modern farming methods, add years to your life by supplementing with a highly absorbable form of magnesium such as magnesium citrate powder which can be taken with hot or cold water and can be found in most health food or vitamin stores.

References:

(1) Rowe WJ, “Correcting magnesium deficiencies may prolong life.” Clin Interv Aging. 2012;7:51-4. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22379366

(2)Paolisso G et al., “Mean arterial blood pressure and serum levels of the molar ratio of insulin-like growth factor-1 to its binding protein 3 in centenarians.” J Hypertens, vol. 17, pp. 67-73, 1999.

(3) Huang JH, Lu YF, Cheng FC, Lee JN, Tsai LC, “Correlation of magnesium intake with metabolic parameters, depression and physical activity in elderly type 2 diabetes patients: a cross-sectional study.” Nutr J. 2012 Jun 13;11(1):41   http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22695027

Clin Interv Aging. 2012;7:51-4. Epub 2012 Feb 16.
Correcting magnesium deficiencies may prolong life.
Rowe WJ.
Source: Medical University of Ohio at Toledo, Ohio, USA.

Abstract

The International Space Station provides an extraordinary facility to study the accelerated aging process in microgravity, which could be triggered by significant reductions in magnesium (Mg) ion levels with, in turn, elevations of catecholamines and vicious cycles between the two. With space flight there are significant reductions of serum Mg (P < 0.0001) that have been shown in large studies of astronauts and cosmonauts. The loss of the functional capacity of the cardiovascular system with space flight is over ten times faster than the course of aging on Earth. Mg is an antioxidant and calcium blocker and in space there is oxidative stress, insulin resistance, and inflammatory conditions with evidence in experimental animals of significant endothelial injuries and damage to mitochondria. The aging process is associated with progressive shortening of telomeres, repetitive DNA sequences, and proteins that cap and protect the ends of chromosomes. Telomerase can elongate pre-existing telomeres to maintain length and chromosome stability. Low telomerase triggers increased catecholamines while the sensitivity of telomere synthesis to Mg ions is primarily seen for the longer elongation products. Mg stabilizes DNA and promotes DNA replication and transcription, whereas low Mg might accelerate cellular senescence by reducing DNA stability, protein synthesis, and function of mitochondria. Telomerase, in binding to short DNAs, is Mg dependent. On Earth, in humans, a year might be required to detect changes in telomeres, but in space there is a predictably much shorter duration required for detection, which is therefore more reasonable in time and cost. Before and after a space mission, telomere lengths and telomerase enzyme activity can be determined and compared with age-matched control rats on Earth. The effect of Mg supplementation, both on maintaining telomere length and extending the life span, can be evaluated. Similar studies in astronauts would be fruitful.