Magnesium is a naturally occurring mineral that is found in several medical products, available as supplementation and also found in foods. Magnesium supplements may be given to treat or prevent deficiencies in individuals who are at high risk for magnesium deficiency. Because magnesium is found in abundance in the foods that you eat, only those who have difficulty with absorption in the intestines are at a high risk for a deficiency. These individuals include those who suffer from alcoholism, gastrointestinal disorders, renal disorders and the elderly who have low dietary intake of magnesium.
How Magnesium is Used in the Body
More than 300 different metabolic reactions in the body utilize magnesium. Some of these metabolic reactions include energy production during the metabolism of carbohydrates and fats, and the active transportation of potassium and calcium across cell membranes, which affects the conduction of muscle contractions, nerves impulses and a normal heart rhythm. Potassium is also used in the production of bone cells, DNA and during the production of several important enzymes in the body.
Where You Can Get Magnesium
Magnesium is found in foods such as bran cereal, shredded wheat, brown rice, almonds, hazelnuts and peanuts. Bananas, blackstrap molasses and frozen spinach also contain significant amounts of magnesium. Doctors also use magnesium chloride pills and injections of magnesium sulfate to treat magnesium deficiencies. Magnesium is a common ingredient in medications used to treat heartburn as well as in those used to treat gastroesophageal reflux.
Symptoms of Toxicity
Magnesium toxicity results when your body absorbs more magnesium than it can use or excrete. According to Linus Pauling Institute, there have been no identified adverse side effects of absorbing too much magnesium from food. However, taking too much supplemental magnesium can result in symptoms of toxicity. These symptoms include a fall in blood pressure, confusion, abnormal cardiac rhythm and deterioration of kidney function. Individuals can also experience muscle weakness and difficulty breathing. People who have kidney trouble are at a higher risk from supplemental magnesium intake and should not take any over-the-counter supplementation without first consulting with their physicians.
Treatments for Magnesium Toxicity
An overdose of magnesium requires immediate hospitalization and physician treatment. In some cases, the individual may need artificial ventilation until the affects of the magnesium toxicity can be reversed. Physicians intravenously administer calcium salts, calcium gluconate or use hemodialysis to clear the magnesium from the bloodstream.
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