THE IMPORTANCE OF MAGNESIUM AS A MICRO-NUTRITIONAL INGREDIENT DURING THE PANDEMIC PERIOD

Abstract

Magnesium (Mg), an essential electrolyte for living organisms, is an alkaline earth metal in the second group of the periodic table. It has crucial roles in various metabolic processes, including synthesis and utilization of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). It is an essential factor for many physiological mechanisms and pathways, such as energy production, protein synthesis, ion transport, and cell signaling. Fifty of the patients we followed up due to venous insufficiency during the pandemic period were included in the study. In addition to routine tests, Mg, vitamin D, vitamin B12 and folate levels were also measured. Vascular Doppler examination was performed. A magnesium level below 1.6 mg/dl was considered as hypomagnesemia. Of the 50 patients included in our study, 13 (26%) were male and 37 (74%) were female. Their ages ranged from 19 to 87, and the mean age was 54.06±14.27 years. Magnesium deficiency was seen in 1 (2%) patient, vitamin D deficiency in 27 (54%) patients, and vitamin B12 deficiency in 8 (16%) patients. Two of the patients with vitamin B12 deficiency were male and six were female. Due to the fact that industrial agricultural products are not used much in our region, magnesium deficiency has not been found except for one patient who uses drugs. Given that magnesium and vitamin D are important for immune function and cellular resilience, a deficiency in both may contribute to the cytokine storm in COVID-19 cases. Therefore, we think it is important that both of them are at normal levels during the pandemic period.