Minerals play an important role in your growth, development and overall health. Your body needs trace minerals in small amounts and macrominerals in large amounts. Calcium, phosphorus and potassium are the three most abundant minerals in your body, while magnesium is the fourth. Hypomagnesemia is when you have lower-than-normal magnesium levels. Certain conditions such as alcoholism and chronic diarrhea can cause lower-than-normal magnesium levels.
Significance
Magnesium is important for bone health. About 50 percent of your body's magnesium is contained in your bones, while the remainder is inside your tissues and organs. Magnesium helps maintain proper muscle and nerve function. It keeps your heart beating at a steady pace, supports your immune system and helps regulate your blood sugar and blood pressure. Magnesium is abundant in your diet. Green vegetables, beans, legumes, nuts and fish such as halibut are magnesium-rich.
Low Magnesium Causes
Several factors can affect your magnesium levels and reduce them. Inflammatory bowel conditions such as Crohn's disease, diarrhea and surgical procedures that alter your digestive system can cause lower-than-normal magnesium levels. Diuretics, diabetes, excessive sweating, chronic alcohol use, excess vitamin D and malnutrition can also cause magnesium levels to drop.
Proton Pump Inhibitors
Proton pump inhibitors, or PPIs, such as Nexium, Prilosec and Prevacid, treat heartburn, acid reflux and gastric ulcers. This drug class blocks an enzyme in your stomach needed for producing excess stomach acid, and a reduction in stomach acid provides relief from these conditions. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, released a drug safety communication on March 3, 2011, informing consumers of the long-term risk of PPI use. According to the FDA, long-term PPI use can cause low magnesium levels.
Recommended Dosage
The recommended dietary magnesium intake is 400 mg if you are an adult male ages 19 to 30 and 310 mg if you are a female in the same age range. Adults over 30 need about 20 mg more magnesium than their younger counterparts. According to the FDA, low magnesium can cause serious adverse health effects, including muscle spasms, irregular heartbeat and seizures. Low magnesium is treated with magnesium supplements under your doctor's supervision.
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