Magnesium helps maintain nerve and muscle function, regulate heart rhythm, keeps the immune system healthy, makes strong bones, regulates blood glucose, helps regulate blood pressure, and is involved in metabolism and protein synthesis. Magnesium is eliminated from the body through the kidneys, so if you have impaired kidney function, especially if you are on dialysis, you should have your blood magnesium levels monitored frequently.
Magnesium Requirements
If you are on dialysis, follow the Recommended Daily Allowance for magnesium. RDA differs based on age, sex, and whether you're pregnant or breast-feeding. Men aged 19 to 30 should consume 400 milligrams of magnesium daily, while women in this age group should consume 310 milligrams daily. Men 31 and older should consume 420 milligrams daily, and women ages 31 and older should consume 320 milligrams daily. There is no set tolerable upper intake level for dietary magnesium intake, but one does exist for magnesium supplementation. If you consume more than the tolerable upper intake level daily, you may start exhibiting signs of toxicity. For males and females aged 9 and above, this level is 350 milligrams per day from supplements.
Magnesium and Dialysis
The kidneys are responsible for removing excess magnesium from the blood, and when the kidneys do not function properly, blood magnesium levels can increase to dangerous levels. During dialysis, this excess magnesium is removed from the blood. Elevation of blood magnesium can occur during dialysis if you are taking certain medications containing magnesium, such as antacids, laxatives, cathartics or magnesium supplements. Your nephrologist will help you manage your medications and magnesium levels while you are on dialysis.
Magnesium Toxicity
High blood magnesium levels can be harmful to the body. Elevated levels of blood magnesium can result in a drop in blood pressure, lethargy, confusion, heart rhythm changes and a further decrease in kidney function. If blood levels of magnesium remain high and toxicity progresses, muscle weakness and difficulty breathing may occur. Severe forms of toxicity can ultimately result in cardiac arrest and possibly death.
Sources of Magnesium
Magnesium is a part of chlorophyll in plants, and green leafy vegetables, such as spinach, Swiss chard and okra, are rich in magnesium. Other foods that contain magnesium include bran cereal, oat bran, wheat germ, brown rice, almonds, hazelnuts, peanuts, cashews, soybeans, lentils, kidney beans, lima beans, potatoes, molasses, raisins, bananas and milk. Do not take a magnesium supplement unless your doctor advises you to.
References
- Office of Dietary Supplements: Magnesium
- National Kidney Foundation: Dialysis
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Magnesium
- Linus Pauling Institute; Magnesium; Jane Higdon; April 2003
- "Journal of the American Dietetic Association"; Which Diet for Which Renal Failure: Making Sense of the Options; Judith Beto; August 1995
- "Textbook of Peritoneal Dialysis"; R. Gokal; 2000
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