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Magnesium Deficiency FAQ

Following are common questions about Magnesium deficiency:
  1. Why is Magnesium needed in body?
  2. Where does the body store magnesium?
  3. What are the sources of Magnesium?
  4. What is the healthy level of magnesium required in body?
  5. Does magnesium help to control cholesterol levels?
  6. What happens if you are deficient in Magnesium?
  7. What happens if you take too much magnesium?
  8. What are the factors leading to Magnesium deficiency?
  9. What is calcium magnesium ratio?
  10. What are the causes of magnesium toxicity?
  11. What are the symptoms of Magnesium deficiency?
  12. What are the symptoms of magnesium toxicity?
  13. What are the clinical tests to know Magnesium levels in body?
  14. What is the cost of Serum Magnesium test in India?
  15. What are the other tests to undergo along with magnesium tests?
  16. What are the treatment options for Magnesium deficiency?
  17. Why does my skin tingle during magnesium oil massage?
  18. How long does it take to treat magnesium deficiency?
  19. What are the treatment options for Hypermagnesemia?
  20. Is it safe to take magnesium supplements?
  21. What is the best form of magnesium intake?
  22. What are the worst forms of magnesium?

  1. Why is Magnesium needed in body?

    Magnesium is one of the most abundant element in human body and plays some elementary role in body functions and metabolism. Some of the essential functions associated with magnesium are:

    • Magnesium governs enzyme functioning. All enzymes have definite co-factors that regulate rate of enzyme reactions. Magnesium is one of the most important of all co-factors.
    • Activities such as cell production or protein synthesis require ATP (Adenosine triphosphate) as a sole energy source in cells. Production of ATP is determined by magnesium. Absence of sufficient magnesium obstructs ATP production and thus normal cell function.
    • Magnesium is also responsible at facilitating normal DNA synthesis and thus overall cell function
    • Magnesium also regulates homeostasis; balancing minerals in body

  2. Where does the body store magnesium?

    The body stores most of the magnesium in body cells forming tissues and organs. Some of the magnesium combines with calcium or phosphorous and is present in bones. While only a very thin or negligible amount of Magnesium is present in blood.

  3. What are the sources of Magnesium?

    • Banana
    • Almonds
    • Figs
    • Spinach
    • Pumpkin Seeds
    • Fish – Mackerel, Salmon, Halibut and Tuna
    • Soy Beans
    • Brown Rice
    • Avocado
    • Dark Chocolate
    • Yogurt

  4. What is the healthy level of magnesium required in body?

    Normal range of Magnesium is as follows:
    • Infants: 1.5 – 2.2 milligrams per deciliter
    • Children: 1.7 – 2.1 milligrams per deciliter
    • Adults: 1.8 – 2.6 milligrams per deciliter

  5. Does magnesium help to control cholesterol levels?

    Yes. Magnesium functions as a natural medicine for cholesterol as it stimulates enzymes that lower bad cholesterol and enhances good cholesterol.

  6. What happens if you are deficient in Magnesium?

    People with lower levels of magnesium become prone to the following disorders:

    • Frequent panic attacks
    • Blood clots leading to life threatening conditions
    • Asthma
    • Bowel disorders
    • Diabetes
    • Kidney and liver diseases
    • Headaches and migraines
    • Insomnia
    • Heart disorders
    • Osteoporosis
    • Nervous system disorders
    • Hypertension
    • Decaying of tooth
    • Infertility issues

  7. What happens if you take too much magnesium?

    Magnesium intake in higher than normal levels (Ref Q. 4), may lead to the following health concerns:

    • Diarrhea or soft stool
    • Drop in blood pressure level
    • Abnormal heart beat rates
    • Cardiac arrest
    • Confusions
    • Excess Mg can lead to imbalance of other minerals and thus further complications
    • Reduced kidney functions

  8. What are the factors leading to Magnesium deficiency?

    The following are the primary causes of magnesium deficiency:

    • Poor magnesium diet
    • Body failing to absorb right amount of Magnesium from food. This can arise due to various disorders related to digestive system.
    • Natural depletion of magnesium and therefore lesser availability in food items
    • Stress and pregnancy
    • Severe illness related to intestine functioning
    • Renal disorders
    • Diabetes
    • Excessive alcoholism
    • Excess calcium

  9. What is calcium magnesium ratio?

    Calcium is essential for bone health, and magnesium stimulates Vitamin D to assimilate calcium. Calcium and magnesium have opposite functions. While Calcium contracts heart muscles, magnesium relaxes the same. There is no fixed calcium to magnesium ratio; however, physicians suggest that 2:1 ratio is ideal and available with different supplements. Again, depending upon your health status, the same ration can vary to 4:1 or 1:1 ratio as well.

  10. What are the causes of magnesium toxicity?

    Normal diet can never cause excess magnesium in body. The following are few of the factors leading to excess magnesium or toxicity in body:

    • Magnesium overdose through supplements
    • Any condition that is obstructing normal kidney functioning and thus excess magnesium is not being eliminated from body naturally
    • Lithium Therapy
    • Hypothyroidism
    • Mental stress and depression

  11. What are the symptoms of Magnesium deficiency?

    If you are experiencing the following, you are perhaps having low magnesium level in body:

    • Irritation and fatigue
    • Unexplained Anxiety and mental stress
    • Palpitations
    • Excessive sensitivity towards noise
    • Feeling extremely cold
    • Cravings for carbohydrates
    • Not being able to remember things clearly
    • Susceptible to allergy
    • Loss of appetite
    • Resistant to insulin
    • Body odor

  12. What are the symptoms of magnesium toxicity?

    Identifying magnesium toxicity is difficult as most of the symptoms are generic and can be easily confused with other health disorders. However, the following can be taken as warning signs of Magnesium toxicity or Hypermagnesemia:

    • Extreme fatigue
    • Body pain
    • Abnormal heart rates
    • Low blood pressure
    • Breathing difficulties
    • Slurry speech
    • Confusion

  13. What are the clinical tests to know Magnesium levels in body?

    Your doctor based on symptoms will order a serum magnesium test to determine abnormal levels of the element in body. The procedure involves drawing a small amount of blood and then testing it under laboratory conditions. Normal levels of magnesium rule out chances of magnesium deficiency and thus your doctor can take up other diagnostic tests to route the causes of your symptoms.

  14. What is the cost of Serum Magnesium test in India?

    Serum Magnesium test is available in every diagnostic center across various cities in India. You may get a detailed information about the prices here.

  15. What are the other tests to undergo along with magnesium tests?

    Magnesium is closely related to calcium content in body (Ref Q. 8). Similarly, other elements such as Potassium and phosphate also influence test results. Therefore, following tests are ordered alongside Mg Test:

  16. What are the treatment options for Magnesium deficiency?

    • Including magnesium rich food in your diet
    • Magnesium oil massage
    • Salt bath using Epsom
    • Magnesium supplements on doctor's advice
    • Treating causes that are leading to magnesium imbalance
    • Reducing stress levels

  17. Why does my skin tingle during magnesium oil massage?

    Tingling sensation during oil massage is normal. This shows that the body is extensively low on magnesium and therefore as the oil sips in the skin, tingling effects are felt. Massaging just after bath will reduce the effect as skin pores are open then. Gradually, the sensation disappears as the body becomes used to the oil and the levels of magnesium gets close to normal.

  18. How long does it take to treat magnesium deficiency?

    As soon as remedial steps are adopted, magnesium levels rise. Approximately, a few weeks time is sufficient; however, this varies according to the level of deficiency you suffer and the rate at which the body responds to treatment options.

  19. What are the treatment options for Hypermagnesemia?

    • Completely abstaining from magnesium food sources
    • No magnesium supplements or drugs is allowed
    • Calcium gluconate injections reduce severity of symptoms
    • Hemodialysis can be done in severe cases

  20. Is it safe to take magnesium supplements?

    Getting a doctor's advice before taking any supplement is important. Magnesium supplements are safe; however, discussing with a doctor regarding doses, prevents you from developing hypermagnesemia.

  21. What is the best form of magnesium intake?

    Magnesium Citrate – Best for people with constipation and not suitable for individuals suffering from loose motion. Magnesium Malate – Best for treating fatigue associated with magnesium deficiency

  22. What are the worst forms of magnesium?

    Magnesium glutamate and aspartate are dangerous supplements and need to be avoided completely.

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