Lack of magnesium increases the risk of DNA damage and many different diseases

Magnesium is vital for our health and for cell division. Magnesium deficiency, on the other hand, increases the risk of damage to the cellular DNA, which can result in a number of different chronic degenerative diseases, according to a new study from University of South Australia. The researchers also observed that magnesium helps to regulate a particular amino acid. Elevated blood levels of this compound are known to increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, gastrointestinal diseases, diabetes, and several types of cancer. Many people lack magnesium because of unhealthy eating habits, stimulant abuse, medicine use, and stress.

Magnesium is one of the minerals that we need in the highest quantities. It plays a key role in around 600 enzyme processes, including processes that are involved in DNA copying, which is crucial for successful cell division. Magnesium is also important for repairing damaged DNA and for handling many other functions. A magnesium deficiency can therefore increase the risk of many acute and chronic, degenerative diseases. Until now, no thorough studies have looked at magnesium’s role in the prevention of DNA damage. In the new study, the researchers therefore wanted to test the hypothesis that magnesium deficiency, alone or combined with elevated homocysteine levels, can increase DNA damage in humans.
The reason why they also focused on homocysteine is that this amino acid, which is a byproduct of protein decomposition, must quickly be converted into another amino acid to prevent damage. If levels of homocysteine in the blood are too high, the compound has toxic effects and can cause oxidative stress, DNA damage, and increase the risk of blood clots, dementia, and cancer.
It is well-known that lack of folic acid and vitamin B12 can result in elevated homocysteine levels and DNA damage. It is also known that DNA damage is a phenomenon that can affect all age groups and that the body has the ability to repair DNA damage to some extent. Still, this requires a sufficient supply of the mentioned nutrients.

Magnesium deficiency and elevated homocysteine is a dangerous cocktail with DNA damage

The new study included 172 healthy, middle-aged people from South Australia. All participants had their blood levels of magnesium, folic acid, and vitamin B12 measured. The scientists also took blood samples to measure DNA damage on white blood cells, which they could monitor through the following three markers: micronuclei (MN), nucleoplasmic bridges (NPBs), and nuclear buds (NBuds).
The study showed a significant inverse relation between blood levels of magnesium and homocysteine. Higher levels of homocysteine meant lower levels of magnesium – and vice versa.
Blood levels of magnesium were also significantly related to micronuclei (MN). In addition, those participants who had low levels of magnesium and high levels of homocysteine had significantly higher levels of the two inflammation markers, MN and NPBs, compared with the participants who had high magnesium levels and low homocysteine levels. This reflects the interaction between magnesium and homocysteine, which affects the levels of the different markers of DNA damage.
The new study, which is published in European Journal of Nutrition, is the first to show that low levels of magnesium, alone or in combination with high homocysteine levels, increases the risk of DNA damage, reflected by higher levels of the two markers, MN an NPBs. Magnesium deficiency therefore increases the risk of multiple chronic degenerative diseases and rapid ageing.
The researchers state that future placebo-controlled studies will help determine if magnesium supplementation can reduce levels of the markers of DNA damage, but the current study does, nonetheless, show that magnesium has a protective effect on cellular DNA. Doctors and dieticians can therefore use this knowledge when guiding patients about what food to eat and what supplements to take. Apparently, having sufficient amounts of magnesium in the body can counteract or slow down the development of cancer and many other diseases.

Magnesium sources, absorption, and supplementation

Magnesium is primarily found in coarse, green, and unrefined foods. The body needs plenty of vitamin B6 and strong stomach acid to absorb magnesium properly. The bioavailability of magnesium is lowered by too much calcium, excessive intake of coffee and alcohol, stress, and low stomach acid. Also, antacids, diuretics, and other types of medicine can reduce the uptake and bioavailability of magnesium.
It is best to get a sufficient magnesium intake from a healthy diet. When using supplements, it is useful to know that magnesium is found in different forms. In order for magnesium to be absorbed in the small intestine, it must be converted into free magnesium ions. Beware that the inorganic magnesium form known as magnesium oxide has poor absorption and is primarily used as a laxative.

References:

Varinderpal S. et al. Low magnesium in conjunction with high homocysteine increases DNA damage in healthy middle aged Australians. European Journal of Nutrition 2024

University of South Australia. Low magnesium increases disease risk. ScienceDaily 2024

Ligia J. Dominguez et al. Magnesium and the Hallmarks of Aging. Nutrients 2024