CF is a genetic disorder that critically affects the lungs, and also the pancreas, liver and intestine. Scarring and cyst formation occurs and there are thick, viscous secretions.

Many previous studies have identified that a large percentage of children with CF are deficient in magnesium. A recent trial however is the first to examine the benefit of magnesium supplementation in this population.

Children aged 7–19 years with CF were supplemented with magnesium bisglycinate (providing 300 mg elemental magnesium per day) or placebo for eight weeks in addition to their conventional treatment. Magnesium bisglycinate supplementation was shown to achieve improvement in the functional status of the respiratory musculature and a reduction in respiratory disease severity.

Magnesium’s role in the following mechanisms is proposed as helping to achieve these benefits:

• muscle contraction and relaxation;

• cofactor function in the potassium/sodium ratio at the cell membrane;

• sputum production and clearing;

• prevention of inflammation and oxidative stress and subsequent prevention of lesions in tissues including lungs and skeletal muscles.