Is the 'King of Life' Magnesium Deficient in Over Half of the Human Body? A Comprehensive Decoding of Magnesium: From Physiological Mechanisms to Latest Research, from Magnesium Deficiency to Supplementation Strategies!

Magnesium (Mg) is an essential mineral element in the human body. As the second most abundant intracellular cation, it serves as a cofactor in over 300 enzymatic reactions. From energy production to protein synthesis, from gene regulation to bone maintenance, and from nerve conduction to muscle contraction, magnesium is involved in nearly all critical physiological processes.

Despite its importance, magnesium deficiency has become a global problem due to modern lifestyles and dietary patterns.

Magnesium is widely distributed in the human body, with approximately 50% residing in bones, the remainder primarily distributed in soft tissues and other organs, and only 1% in the bloodstream. As a critical factor in energy metabolism, magnesium participates in the activation of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the source of cellular energy. Magnesium deficiency can severely impair energy metabolism, adversely affecting the normal functioning of life-sustaining activities.

In terms of neuromuscular function, magnesium regulates neurotransmitter release and muscle contraction, helping to maintain normal cardiac rhythm and alleviate muscle spasms and tension. Magnesium is also a natural anti-anxiety mineral that can modulate the stress response system.

For bone health, magnesium and calcium work synergistically; insufficient magnesium prevents calcium from effectively building bones and preventing osteoporosis. Studies indicate that magnesium deficiency can impair bone mineral density and increase the risk of fractures.

Magnesium deficiency, known as "latent hunger," often presents with subtle symptoms that have broad-ranging effects. Early signs of magnesium deficiency include muscle twitching, cramps, fatigue, craving for chocolate, and migraines.

Chronic magnesium deficiency is associated with multiple chronic diseases. A meta-analysis published in 2025 in the journal *Nutrients* found that high magnesium intake can reduce the risk of metabolic syndrome by 21%. Individuals with the highest serum magnesium levels exhibited a further 47% reduction in metabolic syndrome risk.

Magnesium is crucial for cardiac health. Studies have shown that individuals with low magnesium levels have a 2.3-fold higher risk of coronary artery calcification compared to those with normal levels. Researchers from the University of Rowan recently secured a $1.925 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to specifically investigate the therapeutic potential of magnesium in the treatment of heart failure.

In the field of immunology, a 2022 study published in the journal Cell revealed that magnesium can enhance immune response efficiency in the tumor microenvironment by 40% through modulating the conformation of LFA-1 protein on T cell surfaces. When blood magnesium concentration falls below 0.75 mmol/L, the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors drops sharply by 28%.