According to the National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements, magnesium is vital for health and performs 300 biochemical interactions in your body. Magnesium is the fourth most common mineral in the human body. It facilitates nerve and muscle function and bone health and aids in protein synthesis, regulation of blood pressure and keeping the body temperature within a normal range.
Magnesium and the Heart
The normal function of the heart requires adequate levels of magnesium in the body. According to "Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine," magnesium performs essential function in the reaction of enzymes for routine cell function and energy metabolism. The electrical processes of the heart require magnesium to function normally.
Heart Alterations and Low Magnesium
A fast or irregular heart rate occurs with deficits of magnesium. "Internal Medicine" reports a serious abnormal heart rhythm of ventricular contractions occurring in the presence of very low magnesium. Ventricular contractions require immediate cardiopulmonary resuscitation or heart compression to treat.
Magnesium and Diuretics for Heart Disease
According to "Internal Medicine," the utilization of water pills or diuretics such as Lasix or furosemide produces low blood levels of magnesium due to an increase of magnesium loss in the urine. Water pills commonly treat heart disease. Therefore, individuals with heart disease and ingesting drugs such as Lasix may exhibit signs of heart alterations due to low magnesium.
Magnesium and Heart Medication
"he Handbook of Fluid, Electrolyte and Acid-Base Imbalances" reports that deficits of magnesium in the body cause toxic levels of the heart drug, digoxin. The digoxin toxicity resembles the irregular heartbeats of low magnesium levels. According to AHFS Drug Information, the only way to determine the difference between the digoxin toxicity and deficits in magnesium is blood tests.
Sources of Magnesium in the Diet
A deficit of magnesium exposes the body to internal imbalances. The National Institute of Health Office of Dietary Supplements reports that many foods contain high levels of magnesium. Bananas, raisins and spinach are fruits and vegetables high in magnesium. Carbohydrate sources of high magnesium include cereals and lentils. Milk and halibut contain high levels of magnesium.
References
- National Institute of Health Office of Dietary Supplements: Magnesium Fact Sheet
- Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine; Magnesium Metabolism; Fauci, A. S., et al.; 2008
- "Internal Medicine"; Disorders of Magnesium; J. H. Stein, MD; 1998
- Handbook of Fluid, Electrolyte and Acid-Base Imbalances; Magnesium Imbalances; Kee, J. L., Paulanka, B. J. & Polek, C.; 2010
- AHFS Drug Information; Cardiotonic Agents; McEvoy, G. K.; 2010
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