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A Functional Biological Marker is Needed for Diagnosing Magnesium Deficiency

Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Food Science, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah

Address reprint requests to: Kay B. Franz, PhD, Dept. of Nutrition, Dietetics and Food Science, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602. E-mail: kay_franz{at}byu.edu

Functional biological markers or biomarkers are now available for many nutrients which are used as nutritional status markers. Most sources of these biomarkers are products or precursors of enzymatic processes that can be measured in serum and plasma. At this time measurements of total or ionized magnesium (Mg) in serum, plasma, cellular components, urine or Mg retention from a load test are performed, but they may not always reflect Mg nutritional status. Biomarkers for Mg are needed which would reflect changes in biochemical processes where Mg is involved. Biomarkers for Mg need to be identified and evaluated in both animals and humans, with a determination of possible factors that may affect the reaction and biomarker concentrations. Some possible biomarkers for Mg include the following: Na/K ATPase, thromboxane B₂, C-reactive protein, and endothelin-1. Other possible biomarkers for Mg need to be identified.

Key words: magnesium, biomarker, Na/K ATPase, thromboxane B₂, C-reactive protein, endothelin-1