Magnesium

Magnesium is one of the most abundant cations in the body and is essential to many physiological processes. Approximately one-half of the body magnesium is present in the bone, most of the remainder is found in soft tissues and blood cells with a small amount present in blood. Decreased levels have been observed in cases of diabetes, alcoholism, diuretics, hyperthyroidism, malabsorption, hyperalimentation, myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, and liver cirrhosis. Increased magnesium serum levels have been found in renal failure, diabetic acidosis, Addison's disease, and vitamin D intoxication.