Want cancer protection? Magnesium levels matter

We’ve written extensively about the importance of magnesium in maintaining good health. It’s essential for a healthy brain, heart, bones and metabolism, and it helps to activate adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the molecule our muscles use for energy. It also serves as a precursor for serotonin and other neurotransmitters and helps the body digest proteins, carbohydrates and fats.

Magnesium deficiency is one of the major contributors to cardiovascular issues like cardiac arrhythmia, angina, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and sudden death from heart attack. A deficiency in magnesium is also dangerous for your kidneys and is linked to diabetes.

In addition, low levels of magnesium can contribute to weight gain by increasing cortisol production. And because magnesium serves as a building block for RNA and DNA synthesis, having low magnesium can cause DNA deterioration, which is why NASA astronauts take magnesium while in space.

Investigators also have been exploring the role low magnesium levels may play in cancer. One study in 2015 found that every for every decrease of 100 milligrams per day in magnesium intake there was a 24 percent increase in the occurrence of pancreatic cancer. And previous studies in animals found that mice who received a low-magnesium diet had faster spread of cancerous growth along with reduced defense against flu viruses.

More recently, a team of researchers in Switzerland uncovered further evidence of magnesium’s importance in helping the body to fight off cancer — and it starts in the immune system…

Magnesium’s role in immune system activation

The study found blood levels of magnesium are an important factor in the immune system’s response to pathogens and cancer cells. Researchers observed that T cells, white blood cells central to immune system function, need sufficient magnesium to operate efficiently.

Magnesium specifically helps with the function of a T cell surface protein known as LFA-1. This protein plays a key role in the activation of the T cell by acting as a docking site for infected or abnormal cells. When LFA-1 is inactive, it remains in a bent position and cannot efficiently bind to these infected or abnormal cells.

“This is where magnesium comes into play,” says study co-author Christoph Hess. “If magnesium is present in sufficient quantities in the vicinity of the T cells, it binds to LFA-1 and ensures that it remains in an extended — and therefore active — position.”

The Swiss study shows magnesium regulates fundamental processes in immune cells that have a significant effect on how they function.

Researchers used an experimental model to show that the immune response of T cells against cancer cells got stronger when the magnesium concentration in the tumors was increased.

“In order to verify this observation clinically, we’re now looking for ways to increase the concentration of magnesium in tumors in a targeted manner,” Hess says.

Further analysis of data from previously completed studies showed that immunotherapies were less effective in patients whose blood magnesium levels were low.

This finding may be important for modern cancer immunotherapies, which act by mobilizing the immune system, particularly T cells, to combat cancer cells.

However, the question of whether regular magnesium intake affects the risk for developing cancer can’t be answered based on the existing data, according to Dr. Jonas Lötscher, lead author of the study. “As a next step, we’re planning prospective studies to test the clinical effect of magnesium as a catalyst for the immune system,” he says.

Signs and causes of magnesium deficiency

Despite the abundance of magnesium found in foods like pumpkin and chia seeds, bran, spinach, almonds and brown rice, magnesium deficiency is still a problem for a lot of people.

Several telltale signs can be an indication of low magnesium levels:

• Muscle cramping and twitching
• Abnormal heart contractions
• Depression and low moods
• Ringing in the ears
• Frequent headaches or migraines
• Low energy

In addition to not taking in enough magnesium through diet, other factors can reduce your levels:

• Refined sugars
• Stress
• Hormone imbalances
• Prescription medications: diuretics (Lasix); proton-pump inhibitors (Prilosec); zinc supplements (over 142 mg/day); gentamicin, digoxin, penicillamine, and chemotherapy drugs.
• Calcium supplementation with more than 1:1 ratio calcium to magnesium
• Alcohol consumption
• Kidney, liver or heart disease
• Poor intestinal health (Crohn’s, colitis, celiac, diarrhea)
• Hyperthyroidism, diabetes mellitus, SIADH (anti-diuretic hormone excess)
• Being over the age of 55

There are several different types of magnesium supplements. However, some are better absorbed than others, and different formulations can be particularly good for addressing certain health conditions.

For example, the most common type of magnesium supplement is magnesium oxide, which is the same form of magnesium used in antacids and laxative products like milk of magnesia. While it’s great if you suffer from constipation, it’s not as easily absorbed by the body as other forms of magnesium.

Magnesium citrate is another commonly used form of magnesium that has better absorption than magnesium oxide. However, it also has a laxative effect, so you may want to avoid using it unless you have a problem with constipation.

A less common form of magnesium, magnesium aspartate is more easily absorbed than magnesium oxide or citrate, and it has proven effective in relieving fatigue and reducing muscle hyperexcitability, a condition characterized by muscle cramps, stiffness and twitches. It has been used for chronic fatigue syndrome in the past.

Magnesium orotate supports heart health. The orotic acid used in magnesium orotate adds to magnesium’s heart benefits by enhancing energy production in the heart and potentially improving ventricular function. Orotic acid also may increase survival rate and improve symptoms and quality of life in patients with congestive heart failure. And it may improve exercise tolerance in individuals with coronary artery disease.

Magnesium glycinate binds magnesium to the amino acid glycine, which has a calming, relaxing effect on the central nervous system. This can help with stress and anxiety as well as sleep problems. If you have insomnia, taking magnesium glycinate an hour before bedtime may help improve your sleep and reduce daytime drowsiness. A typical magnesium glycinate capsule contains 100 mg of magnesium and 900 mg of glycine, so the optimal dose for better sleep would be three capsules.

If you suffer from fibromyalgia pain, you may find some relief in magnesium malate. One theory is that fibromyalgia may be caused by a defect in cellular metabolism that leads to symptoms of fatigue and muscle pain. The malic acid in magnesium malate can improve energy metabolism and potentially relieve those symptoms. One study found that taking a magnesium malate supplement made up of 300-600 mg of magnesium and 1200-2400 mg of malate for 8 weeks improved fibromyalgia pain.

If you’re under a physician’s care, especially for a heart condition, you should discuss with them which type may be best for you.

Sources:

Magnesium is essential for the immune system, including in the fight against cancer — University of Bern

Magnesium sensing via LFA-1 regulates CD8⁺ T cell effector function — Cell

Magnesium — PeaceHealth

Magnesium Oxide — MedlinePlus

Magnesium Citrate — MedlinePlus

Which Magnesium Supplement Is Best And For Who? — Scientific Wellness

Peripheral Nerve Hyperexcitability Syndromes — Continuum