Magnesium needed for synthesis of glutathione (the major "in-house" antioxidant)

Glutathione, a primary antioxidant and detoxifier of the cell cytoplasm, requires Mg for its synthesis - a major antioxidant produced in the body, glutathione detoxifies intracellular toxins, such as heavy metals, and chemicals inhaled from cigarette smoke and car exhausts. Heavy metal presence increases oxidant damage to cells, which has long been recognized as a factor in many degenerative diseases.

•  Glutathione provides a highly reactive “bulls-eye”for radicals

•  Glutathione helps red blood cells carry oxygen

•  Glutathione is needed for the creation and maintenance of T-cell lymphocytes -the immune system's frontline defense against infection

•  Glutathione is one of the few antioxidant molecules known to neutralize mercury

According to Dr. Russell Blaylock, low magnesium is associated with glutathione depletion and dramatic increases in oxidant generation.   Without the chelating and antioxidant presence of glutathione, cells weaken under oxidant damage, setting the stage for cellular damage and infection, likely factors in cancer, and any of the other degenerative disease seen today.

For the technobuffs.    Glutathione synthetase requires y-glutamyl cysteine, glycine, ATP, and magnesium ions to form glutathione. In magnesium deficiency,  the level of enzyme y-glutamyl transpeptidase is lowered.