Role of Magnesium In Male Sexual Health
Kobi NathanShare
Magnesium plays a significant role in male sexual health through various mechanisms.
It is involved in the metabolism of nitric oxide, which is crucial for penile erection.
Hypomagnesemia, or low magnesium, has been associated with an increased prevalence of erectile dysfunction (ED) in elderly patients with chronic kidney disease, as demonstrated by a study showing higher rates of ED among hypomagnesemic subjects compared to those with normal magnesium levels.[1]
Magnesium also influences sperm quality.
A study found that magnesium concentrations in seminal fluid were positively associated with sperm concentration, particularly in individuals with a lower calcium/magnesium ratio.[2]
Additionally, magnesium deficiency has been linked to morphological or structural alterations in spermatids (immature, developing sperm) and increased lipid peroxidation in rat testis, suggesting its importance in maintaining testicular health and spermatogenesis or sperm production.[3]
Furthermore, magnesium supplementation has been shown to increase free and total testosterone levels in both athletes and sedentary individuals, indicating its role in modulating anabolic hormonal status.[4]
This is supported by evidence that magnesium positively influences testosterone bioactivity, which is crucial for male sexual function and overall physical performance.[5]
In summary, magnesium is essential for male sexual health, impacting erectile function, sperm quality, and testosterone levels. Maintaining adequate magnesium levels is important for preventing ED, supporting spermatogenesis, and optimizing hormonal balance.
References:
- The Impact of Hypomagnesemia on Erectile Dysfunction in Elderly, Non-Diabetic, Stage 3 and 4 Chronic Kidney Disease Patients: A Prospective Cross-Sectional Study. Toprak O, Sarı Y, Koç A, Sarı E, Kırık A. Clinical Interventions in Aging. 2017;12:437-444. doi:10.2147/CIA.S129377.
- The Association Between Calcium, Magnesium, and Ratio of Calcium/Magnesium in Seminal Plasma and Sperm Quality. Liang H, Miao M, Chen J, et al. Biological Trace Element Research. 2016;174(1):1-7. doi:10.1007/s12011-016-0682-7.
- Lipid Peroxidation and Morphology of Rat Testis in Magnesium Deficiency. Merker HJ, Günther T, Höllriegl V, Vormann J, Schümann K. Andrologia. 1996 Jan-Feb;28(1):43-51. doi:10.1111/j.1439-0272.1996.tb02756.x.
- Effects of Magnesium Supplementation on Testosterone Levels of Athletes and Sedentary Subjects at Rest and After Exhaustion. Cinar V, Polat Y, Baltaci AK, Mogulkoc R. Biological Trace Element Research. 2011;140(1):18-23. doi:10.1007/s12011-010-8676-3.
- The Interplay Between Magnesium and Testosterone in Modulating Physical Function in Men. Maggio M, De Vita F, Lauretani F, et al. International Journal of Endocrinology. 2014;2014:525249. doi:10.1155/2014/525249.