This review examines the role of magnesium in age-related processes and diseases. Magnesium is a vital mineral that is involved in over 600 enzymatic reactions. Magnesium deficiency is common in old age and is associated with increased susceptibility to chronic inflammation(inflammaging), oxidative stress and age-related diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and neurodegenerative diseases.
The study analyzes magnesium in connection with the “hallmarks of aging”:
- Genomic instability: Magnesium protects DNA and is involved in repair mechanisms.
- Telomere shortening: Magnesium influences enzymes that stabilize telomeres.
- Mitochondrial dysfunction: Magnesium is crucial for energy production in the mitochondria.
- Inflammation: A magnesium deficiency increases inflammatory processes and promotes age-related diseases.
- Intestinal microbiome: Magnesium influences the microbiome, which is important for immune function in old age.
Conclusion: A sufficient magnesium supply could be a key factor for healthy ageing. The study recommends a magnesium-rich diet or targeted supplementation to prevent age-related diseases. Further research is needed to determine the optimal dosage and long-term effects.
Global life expectancy is steadily increasing, but the risk of chronic diseases also increases with age. Magnesium is an essential nutrient involved in numerous biochemical processes, including DNA repair, energy production, nerve function and anti-inflammation. Magnesium deficiency is common in old age and may be linked to the concept of inflammaging (chronic inflammatory processes in old age) and other hallmarks of aging.
This review examines the interactions between magnesium and the twelve biological markers of ageing and assesses the extent to which an optimal magnesium supply can contribute to delaying age-related processes.
Magnesium and the signs of ageing:
- Genomic instability: Magnesium is an important co-factor for DNA repair enzymes. A deficiency can promote DNA damage and contribute to the development of mutations that promote cancer and other age-related diseases.
- Telomere shortening: Magnesium influences telomere-associated enzymes such as telomerase and could therefore contribute to cell ageing.
- Epigenetic changes: Magnesium influences epigenetic mechanisms such as DNA methylation and histone modifications that regulate gene expression with age.
- Protein homeostasis: Magnesium is involved in the correct folding and stability of proteins. A deficiency can lead to the accumulation of misfolded proteins, as observed in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.
- Deregulated nutrient sensing: Magnesium affects insulin signaling, mTOR signaling, and AMPK activation associated with aging.
- Mitochondrial dysfunction: Magnesium is crucial for oxidative phosphorylation in the mitochondria. A deficiency can lead to a lack of energy and increased oxidative stress.
- Cellular senescence: Magnesium influences the activation of signaling pathways that regulate cellular senescence. A low magnesium level could contribute to an increased accumulation of senescent cells.
- Depletion of stem cells: Magnesium regulates the proliferation and differentiation of stem cells. A deficiency could contribute to the ageing of haematopoietic and mesenchymal stem cells.
- Altered intercellular communication: Magnesium influences the transmission of signals between cells and contributes to the maintenance of cellular function.
- Impaired autophagy: Magnesium is necessary for autophagy processes that cleanse the cell of damaged organelles and proteins.
- Dysbiosis of the intestinal microbiome: Magnesium influences the composition of the intestinal microbiome, which plays a central role in immune defense and inflammation regulation.
- Chronic inflammation (inflammaging): Magnesium reduces inflammatory signaling pathways such as NF-κB and inhibits the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6 and TNF-α.
Clinical significance:
- Magnesium is essential for the prevention and treatment of age-related diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, Alzheimer’s and sarcopenia.
- Insufficient magnesium intake can be promoted by modern diets, increased magnesium loss (e.g. due to medication or kidney disease) and age-related absorption disorders
- Targeted magnesium supplementation could help improve cognitive function, muscle strength and metabolic health.
Conclusion:
Magnesium plays a key role in almost all biological processes associated with ageing. A magnesium deficiency can contribute to the development of many age-related diseases. Adequate magnesium intake through diet or targeted supplementation could be a promising approach to promote healthy ageing. Future studies should focus on further exploring the optimal dosage, long-term effects and interactions with other age-related factors.