The Science of Magnesium


ATP without enough Mg2+ is non-functional and leads to cell death or cancer. Cells become cancerous exactly when the oxidative process in the mitochondria falter forcing then for survival sake to turn to fermentation. “Bound Mg2+ holds the triphosphate in the correct stereo-chemical position so that it can interact with ATP using enzymes and the Mg2+ also polarizes the phosphate backbone so that the ‘backside of the phosphorous’ is more positive and susceptible to attack by nucleophilic agents such as hydroxide ion or other negatively charged compounds. Bottom line, Mg2+ at critical concentrations is essential to life,” says Dr. Boyd Haley.


Dr Seeger and Dr Johanna Budwig in Germany have shown that cancer is mainly the result of a faulty energy metabolism in the powerhouses of the cells, the mitochondria. ATP and most of the enzymes involved in the production of energy require magnesium. A healthy cell has high magnesium and low calcium levels. The problem that comes with low magnesium (Mg) levels is the calcium builds up inside the cells while energy production decreases as the mitochondria gradually calcify.

Aleksandrowicz et al. in Poland concluded that inadequacy of magnesium and antioxidants is an important risk factors in predisposing to leukemias.[1] Other researchers found that 46 percent of the patients admitted to an ICU in a tertiary cancer center presented hypomagnesemia. They concluded that the incidence of hypomagnesemia in critically ill cancer patients is high.[2]

Scientists have also found out that lead (Pb) salts are more leukemogenic when given to magnesium-deficient rats than when they are given to magnesium-adequate rats, suggesting that magnesium is protective.[3]

[1]Aleksandrowicz, J., Blicharski, J., Dzigowska, A., Lisiewicz, J. Leuko- and oncogenesis in the light of studies on metabolism of magnesium and its turnover in biocenosis.Acta Med. Pol. 1970; 11:289-302. (abstr: Blood 1971; 37:245).

