Effect of Deficiency of Magnesium and Other Minerals on Protein Synthesis

Controls receiving a complete mineral supplement gained over one-third more weight than rats on a magnesium deficient diet. These, in turn, gained over one-third more than animals receiving only KCl and NaCl as their mineral supplement, while the latter gained about a third more than rats not receiving mineral supplement. The unfavorable effect of magnesium deficiency on the synthesis of protein appears to be approximately as great as that reported for potassium deficiency, although there is far more potassium than magnesium in muscle and viscera.