Magnesium is a mineral that you need to get from your diet for your body to function properly. Poor absorption of magnesium can lead to a deficiency of this mineral. Although vitamin D affects the way magnesium is absorbed, vitamin D is unlikely to cause a magnesium deficiency. Talk to your doctor before taking vitamin D or any other supplement.
What Does Vitamin D Do?
Vitamin D actually refers to many different molecules that are called steroids because of their chemical structure. The most common form of vitamin D in the body is known as vitamin D-3. Vitamin D-3 can be gotten from foods, and it is also synthesized by the body in response to sunlight. Vitamin D-3 has a number of functions in the body, but one of the most important is increasing the absorption of calcium by the intestines.
Magnesium Deficiency
Magnesium is needed by every organ in the body, particularly, the kidneys, heart and muscles. One important role for magnesium is in activating special proteins known as enzymes, which are needed to speed up chemical reactions in the body. A magnesium deficiency can cause many health problems, including anxiety, agitation, restless legs, muscle spasms and weakness, insomnia, hyperventilation, low blood pressure, confusion, sleeping problems, impaired nail growth and seizures.
Vitamin D and Magnesium
Vitamin D is needed for the absorption of a variety of minerals. Although its effect is strongest on cells that absorb calcium, vitamin D also increases the absorption of magnesium and phosphate. However, magnesium absorption does not depend on vitamin D. However, low magnesium levels in the blood can impair calcium absorption and make the body resistant to the effects of vitamin D, demonstrating that magnesium and vitamin D are able to interact in some fashion within the body.
Considerations
If you are concerned about a magnesium deficiency, have your doctor test the amount of magnesium in your blood. Low magnesium levels can be caused by inadequate magnesium intake, but they may also be due to other conditions that impair magnesium absorption. You should not try to self-diagnose a magnesium deficiency. Talk to your doctor before taking magnesium, vitamin D or any other supplement.
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