Role of Magnesium in Oxidative Stress in Individuals with Obesity Jennifer Beatriz Silva Morais 1 & Juliana Soares Severo 1 & Loanne Rocha dos Santos 1 & Stéfany Rodrigues de Sousa Melo 1 & Raisa de Oliveira Santos 1 & Ana Raquel Soares de Oliveira 1 & Kyria Jayanne Clímaco Cruz 1 & Dilina do Nascimento Marreiro 1 Received: 25 April 2016 /Accepted: 30 June 2016 # Springer Science+Business Media New York 2016 Abstract Adipose tissue is considered an endocrine organ that promotes excessive production of reactive oxygen species when in excess, thus contributing to lipid peroxidation. Magnesium deficiency contributes to the development of oxi- dative stress in obese individuals, as this mineral plays a role as an antioxidant, participates as a cofactor of several enzymes, maintains cell membrane stability and mitigates the effects of oxidative stress. The objective of this review is to bring togeth- er updated information on the participation of magnesium in the oxidative stress present in obesity. We conducted a search of articles published in the PubMed, SciELO and LILACS data- bases, using the keywords ‘magnesium’, ‘oxidative stress’, ‘malondialdehyde’, ‘superoxide dismutase’, ‘glutathione per- oxidase’, ‘reactive oxygen species’, ‘inflammation’ and ‘obe- sity’. The studies show that obese subjects have low serum concentrations of magnesium, as well as high concentrations of oxidative stress marker in these individuals. Furthermore, it is evident that the adequate intake of magnesium contributes to its appropriate homeostasis in the body. Thus, this review of current research can help define the need for intervention with supplementation of this mineral for the prevention and treat- ment of disorders associated with this chronic disease. Keywords Magnesium . Oxidative stress . Malondialdehyde . Superoxide dismutase . Glutathione peroxidase . Reactive oxygen species . Inflammation . Obesity Introduction Obesity is defined as an excessive accumulation of fat, which may impair health and increase mortality [1]. This disease is a serious nutritional problem, since it increases the risk and mor- bidity of various diseases, including hypertension, type 2 diabe- tes, coronary heart disease, stroke and certain types of cancer [2]. Studies on the involvement of various minerals, such as magnesium, in the mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of obesity, have been aimed at elucidating their contribution to comorbidities associated with obesity and oxidative stress in particular [3–5]. Oxidative stress is defined as an imbalance between the production of reactive oxygen species and antioxidant de- fences and has been implicated in potentially damaging ef- fects, such as lipid peroxidation, DNA damage and intracellu- lar signal transduction regulation [6]. In this setting, it is the role of the antioxidant defence system to protect against oxi- dative stress present in obese individuals. It is emphasized that magnesium plays a role as an antiox- idant, participating as a cofactor of several enzymes in cell membrane stabilization and mitigating the effects of oxidative stress. Magnesium is also involved in the metabolism of glu- cose in insulin homeostasis, and in adenosine triphosphate (ATP), protein and nucleic acid synthesis, and as a physiolog- ical regulator of hormone and immune function. Alterations in the homeostasis of this mineral can affect these functions, promoting the pathogenesis of obesity [7]. Therefore, considering the biochemical and nutritional changes present in obesity, particularly oxidative stress, as well as the important functions of magnesium in mech- anisms involved in the regulation of body homeostasis, the aim of this review is to bring forward up-to-date informa- tion on the role of hypomagnesaemia in oxidative stress present in obese individuals. * Dilina do Nascimento Marreiro dilina.marreiro@gmail.com 1 Department of Nutrition, Federal University of Piauí, Campus Minister Petrônio Portela, Ininga, 665, Hugo Napoleão st., Ed. Palazzo Reale, Apt°. 2001, Jóquei, Teresina, Piauí 64048-320, Brazil Biol Trace Elem Res DOI 10.1007/s12011-016-0793-1