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Magnesium Deficiency: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Magnesium Deficiency: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Magnesium is one of the most abundant and essential minerals in our bodies. It is vital in many biological functions, such as muscle and nerve functions, heart and bone health, and stress management. In addition to energy production within the cells, due to reacting with several enzymes used in metabolic processes.

Maintaining a normal level of magnesium in the body is necessary, and failing to do so could lead to Magnesium deficiency, which occurs when the blood level falls below the normal range for various reasons. Magnesium deficiency is often associated with calcium and potassium deficiencies as well.

In this article, we will explore all there is to know about magnesium deficiency, its symptoms, causes, and how to treat it.

Symptoms of Magnesium Deficiency

Symptoms of magnesium deficiency vary from person to person, however, it involves some of the following symptoms:

Initial Symptoms of Magnesium Deficiency

When magnesium levels drop slightly below normal, the following symptoms may appear:

Muscle cramps and tremors.
Nausea and vomiting.
Fatigue and exhaustion despite rest.
Loss of appetite.
Constipation, despite eating adequate amounts of fiber.

It is important to consult a specialist if you experience muscle cramps and to undergo laboratory tests to confirm magnesium deficiency. Early detection and treatment can help prevent symptoms from worsening.

Severe Symptoms of Magnesium Deficiency

As magnesium deficiency worsens, it can lead to additional mineral deficiencies and associated medical conditions, including:

Low calcium levels in the blood (hypocalcemia).
Low potassium levels in the blood (hypokalemia).
Cardiovascular symptoms.
Hyperparathyroidism.

A deficiency in magnesium and other essential minerals can result in severe and potentially life-threatening symptoms that require immediate medical attention or emergency care, such as:

Seizures.
Severe and painful muscle spasms.
Swelling of the optic nerve (papilledema).
Altered brain function.
Ventricular arrhythmia or atrial fibrillation.
Additionally, prolonged mineral deficiencies can contribute to conditions such as osteoporosis.

Causes of Magnesium Deficiency

There are multiple causes of magnesium deficiency. Here are the most common ones:

Poor nutrition and inadequate magnesium intake.
Use of certain medications, such as chemotherapy drugs.
Digestive disorders, including chronic diarrhea and Crohn’s disease.
Type 2 diabetes.
Aging.
Alcohol addiction.

Diagnosis of Magnesium Deficiency

Your doctor will diagnose magnesium deficiency based on your symptoms, physical examination, and magnesium test through blood. However, it is important to know that your blood magnesium level does not reflect the amount of magnesium stored in your bones and muscle tissue, but it is a useful and necessary indicator of magnesium deficiency. Your doctor will also test your blood calcium and potassium levels and sometimes test your blood levels of certain hormones.

The normal blood magnesium level ranges from 1.8 to 2.2 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dl). A level below 1.8 (mg/dl) is considered low, while a magnesium level below 1.25 (mg/dl) is considered very severe magnesium deficiency.

Treatment of Magnesium Deficiency

Magnesium deficiency is treated using magnesium supplements. In some cases, these supplements may cause diarrhea, so your physician or pharmacist may adjust the dosage according to your body’s needs. If your magnesium levels are extremely low, you may need to receive magnesium intravenously (IV) in a hospital setting.

If you are considering taking magnesium supplements, consult your physician or pharmacist first to ensure they are appropriate for your condition.

Complications of Magnesium Deficiency

If a person experiences severe magnesium deficiency or a deficiency for a prolonged period, it may lead to long-term complications affecting brain function, nerves, bones, and the digestive system.

Magnesium deficiency can impact bone growth in children, while in seniors, it may increase the risk of osteoporosis and fractures.

Other possible complications include life-threatening heart disorders and calcium deposits in cartilage.

Natural Magnesium Sources

There are many natural sources of magnesium, including:

Dark leafy greens: Such as spinach and Swiss chard.
Nuts and seeds: Including almonds, cashews, pumpkin seeds, and sunflower seeds.
Whole grains: Such as oats, brown rice, quinoa, and barley.
Legumes: Including beans, lentils, and chickpeas.
Fish: Such as salmon and tuna.
Avocado: A good source of magnesium.
Bananas: Another excellent source of magnesium.
Dark chocolate: Contains high amounts of magnesium, especially if it has 70% or more cocoa content.
Dairy products: Such as milk and yogurt.
Water: Mineral water contains varying amounts of magnesium.

It is important to consume a variety of these sources to maintain healthy magnesium levels in the body.

Difference between Magnesium Types

Here is a simple comparison of the different types of magnesium. While their benefits are similar and any of these forms can help increase magnesium levels in the body, it is important to avoid excessive intake to prevent complications from high magnesium levels:

Magnesium type	Benefits	Potential side effects
Magnesium Citrate	Helps with anxiety, osteoporosis, constipation, and metabolic syndrome	Rarely causes side effects but may affect the digestive system
Magnesium Glycinate	Helps improve sleep and symptoms of depression and maintains muscles	Less digestive side effects
Magnesium Acetyl Taurate	Beneficial for nerves and it reduces anxiety	Rarely causes side effects.
Magnesium L-Threonate	Improves cognitive function and is used to treat magnesium deficiency	Rarely causes side effects.
Magnesium chloride	May help relieve depression	May cause digestive side effects
Magnesium gluconate	Helps stimulate bowel movements and has a laxative effect	May cause diarrhea
Magnesium malate	May relieve pain, especially in fibromyalgia	Rarely causes side effects.
Magnesium orotate	improves heart health and reduces heart rhythm disturbances	Rarely causes side effects.
Magnesium oxide	Used to relieve stomach upset or heartburn	Rarely causes side effects.
Magnesium sulfate	Used to treat magnesium deficiency and constipation	Less absorbed and may cause digestive side effects.