The second supplement in The Electrain Series is Magnesium (Mg2+). The name magnesium is derived from Magnesia, is a district in Greece. Magnesium was found as an element in 1755 by a chemist named Joseph Black. Even though magnesium is the seventh most abundant element on Earth, it isn’t found freely in nature. This is because magnesium is very reactive and is found with other nonmetals. It is generally is extracted from other minerals or from seawater.
Role
Magnesium has a significant role in adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production in the mitochondria. MgADP is the substrate of ATP synthase. Mg2+ is required to form ATP in the final step of the electron transport chain. Mg2+ has a similar role to CoQ10 in that Mg2+ maintains cellular ATP production and suppresses reactive oxidative species (ROS) production.
Mitochondrial Mg2+ regulates coupled reactions in the mitochondria including the electron transport chain. Coupled reactions are reactions in which energy is being transformed. This protects the cell from degeneration and prevents various neurodegenerative disorders and cancers. Interestingly, hydrated magnesium sulfate was used to treat scratches and rashes on the skin. It is now called Epsom salts because it was discovered in Epsom, England.
Magnesium also plays a major role throughout the cellular respiration process. Mg2+ changes the properties of the ion channels such as voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels and K+ channels. Mitochondrial Mg2+ activates the pyruvate dehydrogenase which is a conversion of the pyruvate to acetyl coA. This step is crucial for cellular respiration and plays a major role in the citric acid cycle. Mg2+ can increase the activity of three important mitochondrial dehydrogenases involved in ATP production. Additionally, Mg2+ decreases the Ca2+ in the mitochondrial matrix and Ca2+ regulates the amount of ATP being produced so this increases the ATP being produced. Similar to this reaction, Mg2+ is a cofactor in over 300 enzymatic reactions. The Institute of Medicine recommends 310–360 mg for adult women and 400–420 mg for adult men.
Magnesium Forms Chart
Sources
https://www.pnas.org/content/111/43/E4560
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0261561418324269