Assists growth, immunity, muscle contractions, bone
and teeth formation, metabolism, 'activator' of enzymes,
cellular respiration, compared with ATP, ADP, AMP and
sodium - potassium metabolism.
Physiological functions
Many diverse physiological functions
Integrity of bones and teeth
Second most plentiful cation (after
potassium) of intracellular fluid
Although 1% of total magnesium
is extracellular fluid (blood plasma and interstitial
fluid), the magnesium bathes body cells.
When magnesium in extracellular
fluid declines, tetany (hypomagnesia) issues can arise
Magnesium plays a key role in
many enzymatic reactions in metabolism
Magnesium is predominately associated
with the mitochondria, main role as an 'activator'
of enzymes
Vitally involved in metabolism
of carbohydrates and lipids in a wide array of enzymes
Oxidative phosphorylation in absence
of magnesium
Essential for cellular respiration,
is complexed with ATP, ADP and AMP
In protein synthesis, through
action on ribosomal aggregation, in synthesis and
degradation of DNA
Formulation of cyclic AMP and
other secondary messengers
A role in neuromuscular transmission,
synergistically with calcium
Functions in general
Growth
Immunity
Muscle contractions
Metabolism of collagen rich tissues
Aids sodium and potassium metabolism
Deficiency
A wide range of signs including:
retarded growth, hyper-irritability and tetany (hypomagnesia),
peripheral vasodilation, anorexia, muscular incoordination
and convulsions.
Foals on a purified diet low in magnesium: hypomagnesia,
nervousness, muscular tremors and ataxia followed by
collapse, with hypernea, sweating, convulsive paddling
of legs, degeneration in tissues and organs, potential
death.
Confirmation of grass tetany ( hypomagnesia) only justified
if urine and blood are low in magnesium.
Inadequate magnesium intake can be associated with infections,
incorrect parental preparations, malabsorption disorders,
and endocrine disorders.
Fat content within an animal can decrease magnesium
utilisation.
