Magnesium

# What is magnesium? Magnesium is the second most important mineral in all cells after calcium, cannot be produced by the body and must be taken in through food or supplements. Magnesium is an important component of over 300 enzymes in the body and is crucial for muscle function, energy production, the transmission of information by various messenger substances, for the bones and for the cardiovascular system. Only around 40 percent of the magnesium ingested is actually absorbed in the intestine and enters the bloodstream. In the blood, magnesium is mainly bound to proteins such as albumin and globulins and thus reaches the target cells and tissues in the body. Most of the magnesium (65%) is stored in the bones, the rest is distributed to other body tissues. Magnesium metabolism is primarily regulated by the kidneys, which excrete excess magnesium via the urine. Conversely, magnesium is increasingly retained as soon as the magnesium level drops. A magnesium deficiency (hypomagnesemia) can lead to muscle cramps, cardiac arrhythmia, fatigue, sleep disorders and other symptoms. Some people are at an increased risk of magnesium deficiency, for example those with gastrointestinal disorders, kidney problems or diabetes. Genes also play a role, as genetic variants can influence the absorption, storage and excretion of magnesium. ## Examples of magnesium-rich foods: > ## Good to know > > Tolerance of magnesium : The tolerance of magnesium supplements can vary greatly: some people can react with diarrhea even with just 200 mg of magnesium, others can tolerate 400 to 600 mg without any problems. # What do genetics have to do with it? We are investigating two genes in magnesium metabolism: The TRPM6 gene (Transient Receptor Potential Cation Channel Subfamily M6 gene) carries the blueprint for the tunnel protein TRPM6, which channels magnesium through the cell membrane. Magnesium is taken up into the cell and excess magnesium is released. Variants in the TRPM6 gene therefore alter magnesium homeostasis and can lead to muscle cramps, cardiac arrhythmia, loss of appetite and even high blood pressure in the event of a magnesium deficiency. The TRPM6 protein is also associated with familial magnesium deficiency (hypomagnesemia), a rare hereditary disease. - Variant rs3750425 of the TRPM6 gene: The genotypes T/T and C/T show a low magnesium level. - Variant rs2274924 of the TRPM6 gene: Genotypes C/C and C/T show low magnesium levels. - Variant rs11144134 of the TRPM6 gene: The genotypes T/T and C/T show a low magnesium level. The CaSR gene (calcium-sensing receptor protein gene) carries the blueprint for the CaSR protein in the cells, which regulates the calcium and magnesium balance in the body, for example via the reabsorption of magnesium in the kidneys. Variations in the CaSR gene can severely disrupt magnesium homeostasis. Increased activity of the CaSR protein leads to increased excretion of magnesium and possibly to a magnesium deficiency. Conversely, a reduced activity of the CaSR protein leads to a reduced excretion of magnesium and possibly to an increased magnesium level. - Variant rs17251221 of the CaSR gene: The genotypes G/G and A/G show an increased magnesium level.