Role of magnesium in regulation of lung function.

Magnesium and calcium play multiple dynamic roles in pulmonary structure and function. When magnesium is deficient, the action of calcium is enhanced. In contrast, an excess of magnesium blocks calcium. These interactions are important to the respiratory patient because the intracellular influx of calcium causes bronchial smooth-muscle contraction. The possibility exists that magnesium deficiency contributes to pulmonary complications. During the past few years, there has been an increase in calcium consumption in the US population but little change in magnesium intake, which has caused an imbalance in the calcium:magnesium ratio. Although serum levels are used to assess magnesium deficiency, cells can be deficient despite normal serum values. These findings indicate that pulmonary patients should be monitored routinely for magnesium deficiency.