The COVID-19 pandemic: is there a role for magnesium? Hypotheses and perspectives

Stefano Iotti1, Federica Wolf2, André Mazur3

  • 1University of Bologna, Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, BolognaItaly.

Magnesium Research
|June 20, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Low magnesium status may worsen COVID-19 severity. This deficiency shares similarities with disease pathogenesis, including immune cell changes and inflammation. Further research is needed to confirm magnesium

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Nutritional Science
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Accumulating research on COVID-19 pathogenesis.
  • Observed similarities between COVID-19 and magnesium (Mg) deficiency symptoms.
  • Mg deficiency is a common condition.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To hypothesize the potential role of magnesium deficiency in COVID-19 progression.
  • To explore if low Mg status exacerbates COVID-19 clinical manifestations.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing COVID-19 and Mg deficiency literature.
  • Comparative analysis of pathogenic mechanisms.
  • Hypothetical model development.

Main Results:

  • COVID-19 pathogenesis involves T cell reduction, elevated inflammatory cytokines, and endothelial dysfunction.
  • These pathological features are also characteristic of magnesium deficiency.
  • A potential link between low Mg status and increased COVID-19 severity is proposed.

Conclusions:

  • Low magnesium status may contribute to the transition from mild to critical COVID-19.
  • Further epidemiological, clinical, and fundamental research is warranted.
  • Investigating magnesium's role could offer new insights into COVID-19 management.

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