Magnesium plays a large role in the release of energy from carbohydrates, lipids, and protein in our diet. For instance, in the catabolic process of glycolysis (carbohydrate metabolism), the conversion of glucose to glucose-6- phosphate requires Mg ⁺² .

* Remember: anytime you see an enzyme called a KINASE, it means that it is

(1) phosphorylating a molecule,

(2) requires ATP, and

(3) needs magnesium as a cofactor.

Magnesium is related to muscle relaxation as calcium is related to muscle contraction. Extracellular magnesium functions as a muscle anesthetic. Without it, human and other organisms would have a "stiff" muscle appearance.