A new Australian study has identified why a diet rich in magnesium is so important for our health, reducing the risk of DNA damage and chronic degenerative disorders.
Key Points
- A newly published study has found a strong link between low magnesium levels and high amounts of a genotoxic amino acid called homocysteine, a combination that damages the body’s genes, making people more susceptible to Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, gastrointestinal diseases, a range of cancers, and diabetes
- Findings from the study indicate that sufficiently high magnesium levels in the blood are essential to protect genes from toxicity caused by homocysteine, which is increased when folate and vitamin B12 are deficient
- Chronic magnesium deficiency is likely to disrupt the body’s ability to produce energy and power cells, causing accelerated tissue ageing and making people more susceptible to early onset of many diseases
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UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA, August 12, 2024 — Scientists from the University of South Australia measured blood samples from 172 middle aged adults, finding a strong link between low magnesium levels and high amounts of a genotoxic amino acid called homocysteine.
This toxic combination damages the body’s genes, making people more susceptible to Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, gastrointestinal diseases, a range of cancers, and diabetes.
Wholegrains, dark green leafy vegetables, nuts, beans and dark chocolate are all magnesium-rich foods, which help the body produce energy, build teeth and bones, regulate blood sugar and blood pressure, and ensure that the heart, muscles and kidneys all work properly.
UniSA molecular biologist Dr Permal Deo says a low intake of magnesium (less than 300mg per day) can increase the risk of many diseases, but its role in preventing DNA damage has not been fully studied in humans until now.
“Our study showed a direct correlation between low magnesium levels in blood (less than 18mg/L) and increased DNA damage, even after adjusting for gender and age,” Dr Deo says.
“Blood levels of magnesium, homocysteine (Hcy), folate and vitamin B12 were measured, showing an inverse correlation between magnesium and Hcy and a positive correlation between magnesium, folate and vitamin B12. This indicates that sufficiently high magnesium levels in the blood are essential to protect our genes from toxicity caused by homocysteine, which is increased when folate and vitamin B12 are deficient.”
Co-author Professor Michael Fenech says chronic magnesium deficiency is likely to disrupt the body’s ability to produce energy and power cells, causing accelerated tissue ageing and making people more susceptible to early onset of many diseases.
Magnesium is the fourth most abundant mineral present in the human body. More than 600 enzymes require it as a co-factor and almost 200 require it to activate critical processes in the body.
“The next step is to determine the optimal dietary intake of magnesium, either through food or supplements and how this could impact the onset or progression of cancer and other chronic diseases,” Prof Fenech says..
The findings have been published in the European Journal of Nutrition.
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Media contact: Candy Gibson M: +61 434 605 142 E: [email protected]
Contact for interview: Dr Permal Deo E: [email protected]
Home Blood Spot Testing for Homocysteine is Now Available
This test is currently offered through Food for the Brain (FFB), another charity and friend of GrassrootsHealth, for a price of $59.95 (or subscribe and save up to 6%; GrassrootsHealth discounts do not apply to this test). While GrassrootsHealth is considering adding the homocysteine test to our study, we wanted to offer you the opportunity to test through FFB first and give us your feedback.
Buy Your at-home Homocysteine Test from Food for the Brain Here
PLEASE NOTE This test requires a fasted blood sample. It is suggested that you perform the test first thing in the morning after 12 hours of fasting, i.e. no food or drinks. For more information read Food for the Brain’s homocysteine FAQs here. Email [email protected] with any questions you have about the test.
Measure Your Levels Today
Create your custom home blood spot kit to help determine if you are getting enough of the following nutrients shown to benefit overall health, along with other measures, including:
Vitamin D- Omega-3 Index plus Omega-3:Omega-6 and AA:EPA Ratios
- Magnesium (plus Zinc, Copper, Selenium, Lead, Cadmium & Mercury)
- hsCRP
- HbA1c
- Type 1 Diabetes Autoantibodies
- TSH
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