As we know, most of the total body magnesium is found inside the bones, muscles, and non-muscle soft tissues. Only about 1% of magnesium is stored in the serum and red blood cells.
It is primarily found in the cell and is a cofactor for more than 300 enzymatic reactions. It is critical for stabilizing energy-dependent reactions such as glucose utilization, synthesis of fat, proteins, nucleic acids, coenzymes, muscle contraction and etc. It is also important to keep in mind that magnesium also contributes to the regulation of vascular tone, heart rhythm, platelet-activated thrombosis, and bone formation.
Examples of reduced absorption of magnesium are bowel diseases, vitamin D deficiency, and drugs such as proton pump inhibitors. There is also some loss from the GI tract of magnesium such as diarrhea, laxative use, etc.
