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Biological Importance of Mg and Ca

The article mentions the biological importance of Magnesium and Calcium, their role in outside and bodily processes, and how these elements impact our body functions.

Magnesium and calcium are two alkaline earth metals essential in our day-to-day lives. These elements belong to the Group 2 of the periodic table and react readily with halogen gases such as fluorine, chlorine, and bromine. The first element, magnesium, is used in the aerospace and electronic industries, while calcium is a reducing agent for various purposes. These elements majorly act as efficient alloying mediums. Other than that, magnesium and calcium have a substantial biological importance in our bodily functions. The biological importance of Magnesium and Calcium is not just limited to humans but plants too. Let us study the biological significance of Mg and Ca in detail.

Biological Importance of Magnesium

Let us now read about the biological significance of magnesium in our body:

  • Role of Magnesium in the functioning of the enzymes: Magnesium has an essential role in the functioning of enzymes. It influences the biochemical reactions catalysed by enzymes inside our bodies. Magnesium acts as a cofactor in the splitting of fat and glucose molecules. It is the cofactor of enzymes that use ATP to transfer phosphate and release energy. Magnesium plays a crucial role in producing enzymes and proteins and the regulation of cholesterol.

  • Role of Magnesium in maintaining the balance of electrolytes: This mineral maintains a healthy balance of electrolytes in our body, and its deficiency can cause dysfunction of the electrolytes. The lack of a proper supply of magnesium can cause the sodium-potassium pump to be dysfunctional. 

  • Role of Magnesium in the manufacturing of energy in our bodies: Mg plays a crucial role in producing energy within our bodies. Magnesium deficiency can hinder the conversion of ion nutrients to Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP), a fundamental form of energy required by our body. The production of ATP within our body helps function various biological processes such as protein synthesis and cell reproduction.

  • Role of Magnesium in the stability and synthesis of DNA in our body: Without an adequate supply of magnesium, the synthesis of DNA is impossible. Hence, the presence of this ion is responsible for the functioning, stability, and synthesis of DNA in our bodies.

Biological Significance of Calcium

  • The biological significance of calcium in moderating the metabolism process of nitrogen present in plants. An absence of this mineral in the plants can impact the growth and number of chloroplasts in the plants.

  • This mineral acts as a secondary messenger during cell signaling.

  • Calcium is majorly found in the bones and teeth of living beings.

  • There is a considerable amount of calcium in the blood.

  • The contraction of muscles in our body is highly supported by calcium.

  • It helps with the proper functioning of the heart and the nerves.

  • Calcium is an essential mineral to stabilise the permeability of the cell membranes.

  • Calcium is helpful during the clotting of the blood during injuries. The lack of adequate calcium in our body increases the time it takes for the blood to clot.

  • Dysfunction of nerves can be caused due to the deficiency of calcium in our body.

Symptoms of Magnesium deficiency

The deficiency of magnesium can cause some of the following symptoms.

  • Headaches, nervousness, migraine, or dizziness

  • Muscle cramps in face, shoulders, neck, and entire vertebral column

  • Urinary tract cramps

  • Cardiac arrhythmias

  • Diarrhea, nausea, or gastrointestinal cramps

Balance of Calcium-Magnesium

Calcium and magnesium are known as Twin Minerals as they have opposite properties. As magnesium helps relax the muscles, calcium has the property of contracting the muscles. Similarly, an imbalance of magnesium in the body causes more calcium to get stored in the body. In contrast, a deficiency of magnesium intake can cause more stored calcium in the body. The ideal ratio of the two essential minerals, calcium and magnesium, is considered to be 1:1.

Magnesium has a vital role in calcium absorption too. Calcium can deposit in the soft tissues without magnesium, and without magnesium, it can not be reabsorbed.

Conclusion

We learned about the biological significance of magnesium and calcium in our bodies. These alkaline earth metals are not restricted to helping the functioning of the outside world. The presence of these elements in our body, plants, and animals helps in the functioning of our organs and impacts many functions inside the body. They play a crucial role in how our body functions, maintains and balances various actions.