Magnesium deficiency is common in most parts of the world. People with liver disease are more likely to be magnesium deficient. Not getting enough magnesium increases the severity of all liver diseases, including fatty liver, cirrhosis, viral hepatitis and alcohol induced liver disease. If you’re concerned about your liver, it’s critical to get optimal levels of magnesium.

Magnesium is an extremely important mineral for your health. Approximately 300 enzyme reactions in your body rely on magnesium. Not getting enough can slow down a lot of vital metabolic processes. 

Some of the main functions of magnesium in your body include:

  • Relaxing the nerves and muscles in your body
  • Regulating blood sugar level
  • Helping to normalize blood pressure
  • Making protein, bone, and DNA
  • Ensuring deep, restful sleep
  • Energy production

A lot of people with liver disease are actually magnesium deficient. This can make the condition become worse. According to a 2019 report, every 100 milligram increase in magnesium intake results in a 49 percent decrease in the mortality (risk of dying) from all liver diseases.

According to a 2021 study published in the Journal of Hepatology, patients that had non-alcoholic fatty liver also had high amounts of a protein called cyclin M4 (CNNM4). This protein is responsible for transporting magnesium out of the liver. This means there’s not enough magnesium in the liver, and this worsens liver disease.

According to the study’s authors: “These patients have an altered magnesium export machinery that increases the vulnerability of their liver to suffer inflammatory processes, development of fibrosis and fat deposition”. That means scar tissue (cirrhosis) can develop more rapidly in your liver if you aren’t getting sufficient magnesium. 

Magnesium deficiency is common and risky for your liver

Approximately half of people in the U.S. do not get enough magnesium in their daily diets. Chronic suboptimal intake of magnesium increases the risk of a variety of health issues including migraines, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes. People who have Crohn's disease, celiac disease, alcoholism, and type 2 diabetes are at risk for having inadequate magnesium levels. These conditions either impair nutrient absorption, increase magnesium requirements of the body, or deplete mineral stores, resulting in low magnesium levels.

Older people are more likely to suffer from low magnesium levels as well because magnesium absorption decreases with age and our kidneys excrete more of the mineral as we get older. Older adults are also more likely to have medical conditions or take medications that decrease levels of this mineral. Stomach acid-blocking drugs like Nexium can result in significant magnesium deficiency.

Small amounts of magnesium are found in green leafy vegetables, nuts, seeds and red meat. However, if you suffer with a liver conditions, these foods will not provide sufficient magnesium. Supplemental magnesium powder or magnesium tablets is recommended.

References

Magnesium and liver disease - Liu - Annals of Translational Medicine (amegroups.com) 

Protein Controlling Magnesium Identified as Therapeutic Target for Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (nyu.edu) 

 

The above statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any disease.

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