Magnesium is the fourth most abundant mineral in your body. It is found mostly in your bones, but is also found in the cells of your tissues and organs. A small amount is in your blood. Without magnesium, over 300 biochemical reactions couldn’t take place. Your muscles, nerves, immune system, heart and bones all require magnesium to function properly.
Symptoms
Magnesium deficiency is very rare, because magnesium is found in nearly all plant and animal foods. Your kidneys will also limit how much is excreted if your intake becomes too low. If you do become deficient in magnesium, you may experience abnormal eye movements, muscle spasms or cramping, fatigue, numbness or convulsions.
Causes of Low Magnesium
Some causes of low magnesium in your body, or hypomagnesemia, include alcoholism, chronic diarrhea, excessive sweating and excessive urination. Malnutrition can cause low levels of magnesium. People with malabsorption diseases, such as celiac disease and inflammatory bowel disease, may suffer from low levels of magnesium because their bodies may not be able to absorb adequate amounts of magnesium from the foods they eat. High levels of calcium in your blood may also cause hypomagnesemia.
Diseases Related to Low Magnesium
The Office of Dietary Supplements lists various diseases that are possibly related to magnesium levels. Magnesium may help control your blood pressure. Studies have shown that people who eat diets rich in magnesium and potassium tend to have lower blood pressure.
People with diabetes oftentimes have low levels of magnesium, which helps regulate the release and function of insulin. As your blood sugar increases, your kidneys may not be as efficient in limiting the excretion of magnesium resulting in hypomagnesemia. The Nurse’s Health Study showed that people with lower intakes of magnesium were more likely to develop type 2 diabetes later in life.
Low levels of magnesium may affect your cardiovascular health. People with lower intakes of magnesium are at higher risk for abnormal heart rhythms, stroke and coronary heart disease.
People at Risk
You may be at risk for hypomagnesemia if you take certain medications, such as diuretics, antibiotics and some cancer medications. People with poorly controlled diabetes, alcoholism and malabsorption diseases, such as Crohn’s disease, gluten sensitive enteropathy or celiac disease, are also at risk. As you get older your ability to absorb magnesium decreases and your kidneys excrete more magnesium, which may lead to low magnesium levels. Talk to your health care provider if you are concerned about your magnesium levels.
