The National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements reports that magnesium is the fourth most abundant mineral in the body, making it vital to normal bodily functions. The body uses approximately 50 percent of this magnesium for the formation of strong bones, while the remaining supports biochemical reactions, carries electrical impulses between nerves, aids in muscle contraction and keeps the immune system healthy. High or low magnesium levels may indicate the presence of a medical condition and cause symptoms that range from bothersome to life-threatening.
Recommended Intake
The Institute of Medicine provides a recommendation on how much magnesium you should consume each day to support the needs of your body, known as the dietary reference intake. Adult men ages 19 to 30 should consume 400 mg of magnesium per day, while those 31 or older should consume 420 mg of magnesium. Women do not need as much magnesium as men. Adult women ages 19 to 30 should intake 310 mg per day, while those 31 and older need 320 mg of magnesium per day. Green vegetables serve as a good source of magnesium because the chlorophyll molecule that provides the green color contains magnesium. Other good sources of magnesium include beans, nuts, seeds, legumes and whole-grain foods.
Magnesium Testing
To determine the level of magnesium in your body, you doctor can perform a blood test. Although only about 1 percent of the total amount of magnesium remains in the blood, your body strives to keep the blood magnesium level constant. Doctors consider a magnesium serum test result ranging from 1.7 mg/dL to 2.2 mg/dL normal, according to MedlinePlus.
Magnesium Deficiency
A low level of magnesium, a condition called hypomagnesemia, can occur due to a variety of different conditions. Gastrointestinal disorders that interfere with the absorption of magnesium, like Crohn's disease, can cause magnesium deficiency. Illnesses that cause chronic or excessive vomiting or diarrhea can also cause magnesium deficiency. Low magnesium levels can also indicate alcohol abuse or uncontrolled diabetes. A low level of magnesium may also indicate the presence of an endocrine disorder like hyperaldosteronism, a condition that occurs when the adrenal glands produce and secrete too much of the hormone aldosterone, which plays an important role in blood pressure regulation; or hypoparathyroidism, a condition that occurs when the parathyroid gland fails to produce enough parathyroid hormone. Early symptoms of magnesium deficiency include nausea, vomiting, fatigue and weakness but can escalate to numbness, tingling, muscle cramps, seizures, irregular heart rhythms and coronary spasms.
High Magnesium Level
Because your body needs the proper amount of magnesium to keep your heart beating regularly, your nerves functioning and your muscles contracting, the symptoms of high magnesium levels resemble the symptoms of low magnesium levels. Hypermagnesemia can cause diarrhea, abdominal cramps, muscle weakness, difficulty breathing, dangerously low blood pressure and irregular heartbeat. A high magnesium level can occur due to dehydration or can indicate the presence of more serious condition. Patients with Addison's disease, a condition in which the adrenal glands fail to produce enough hormone, exhibit high magnesium levels. A patient with diabetic acidosis, a life-threatening condition, also shows high levels of magnesium. Because the kidneys help maintain normal levels of minerals in the blood, chronic kidney failure can also cause high magnesium levels.
Member Comments