Role of magnesium in health and disease.

Appropriate intracellular and extracellular magnesium levels are necessary for proper body functioning. Imbalances of magnesium are common and are associated with a great deal of morbidity and mortality. Routine determination of serum magnesium levels in patients at risk for magnesium disorders must become the norm. As technology improves, cellular magnesium levels will become widely available and may be indicated to guide therapy and prevention of a wide variety of diseases.