Supplements: Mg

Question 1

Who uses Supp. in Canada?

Answer 1

Children: 4-8
Males: >51
Females: 19-50, >51
Female uses more than men

Question 2

The use of supplements in Canada tend to increase with…?

Answer 2

Supplement use increase with:

• young children/ adults 51+
• level of education
• household income
• chronic health conditions
• food secure

Question 3

What is the requirements of Magnesium?

Answer 3

Men require more than women

Question 4

What are some sources of magnesium?

Answer 4

wide variety of food sources

• leafy greens (in chlorophyll)
• nuts, seeds, bananas, germ and bran of whole grains (good sources)
• hard water

processed food: generally poor sources

Question 5

What are some food sources of Magnesium?

Answer 5

pumpkin or squash seeds
spinach
salmon

Question 6

What is the absorption process of magnesium?

Answer 6

does not require digestion prior to absorption

• throughout small and large intestine
• *jejunum and illeum
• 30-60% absorbed

Colon may play role

Question 7

What are some nutrient interactions with Magnesium?

Answer 7

Enhancing absorption:
vitamin D, protein, carbohydrates, fructose, oligosaccharides

Inhibiting absorption: phytic acid, fiber, excessive unabsorbed FAs

Nutrient interactions: calcium, phosphorus, potassium

Question 8

What are some functions of magnesium?

Answer 8

adult body contains: 25 g Mg
50-60% total Mg in bone
30% surface of bone: exchangeable pool (maintain serum conc.)

70% crystal lattice (Ca, P) deposited during formation

Question 9

What enzymatic reactions are non-bone Mg involved in ?

Answer 9

1. Glycolysis: hexokinase, glucokinase, and phosphofuctokinase
2. TCA cycle: oxidative decarboxylation
3. Pentose phosphate pathway: transketolase rxn
4. B-oxidation: initiation by thiokinase (acyl-CoA synthetase)
5. Nucleic acid synthesis
6. Protein synthesis (e.g. w/ ribosomal aggregation and binding mRNA to ribosome units)

Question 10

What is the prevalence of inadequacy of Mg?

Answer 10

Inadequate intakes common
-low plasma Mg conc. relatively common in hospitalized patients

• Malabsorptive disorders: excessive alcohol/diuretic use, PTH disease, burns increase risk
• Hypomagnesemia occur w/ deficiency
• low blood conc. of calcitriol, potassium (hypokalemia) and calcium
• low intakes ass. w. CVD, DM, HTN

Question 11

What is the toxicity of Magnesium?

Answer 11

UL = 350 mg/day from supp.

diarrhea

Question 12

What are some regulations of Health Canada for NHPs?

Answer 12

NHP regulations: give Ca. ready access to wide range of NHPs: safe, effective, high quality
-more info on label, regulatory approvals, safety and effectiveness of NHPs, pre-market review, proper evidence

Regulations increase access to these products
assessed for safety, quality, and health claims

Question 13

What are scientific evidence suggesting about the use supplements?

Answer 13

evidence is suff. to advise against routine supp.

• most supp. do not prevent chronic disease/death
• general pop. w/ no clear evidence on micronutrient deficiencies

Question 14

What is the position of academy of nutrition and dietetics on micronutrient supp.?

Answer 14

those with increased requirements secondary to growth, chronic disease, medication use, malabsorption, pregnancy and lactation, and aging may be at particular risk for inadequate dietary intakes
but routine and indiscriminate use of micro-nutrient supp. for prevention of chronic disease in NOT recommended

consumers may not be well informed about the safety and use of micronutrient supplements
keep up to date on efficacy, safety, and regulatory issues influencing the use of these products