Magnesium homeostasis and therapy in hypertension

Magnesium is an essential electrolyte in living organisms and has to be supplied in a sufficient amount. The clinical importance of magnesium overload or magnesium intoxication is low. However, magnesium deficiency can occur in humans despite normal magnesium intake. The primary effect of magnesium deficiency is a reduction of several enzyme activities in metabolism and energy production. The reduced energy production can result in disturbed membrane function, calcium magnesium antagonism, and cell dysfunction. Consequences may be organ dysfunction and an altered answer to external and internal stress. The reduced energy status affects recovery from several conditions, such as cardiac arrhythmias, primary hypertension, pre-eclampsia, cramps, allergic reactions, etc. The special importance of oral or intravenous magnesium supplementation has often been described in a variety of diseases. Additional focus lies on the use of magnesium in critically ill patients in intensive care medicine. In this context, magnesium deficiency in primary hypertension is of special interest. The German Society for Magnesium Research recommends oral magnesium supplementation 300 - 600 mg/d) for patients with hypertension.