Consider magnesium deficiency if a patient complains of the 10 symptoms of magnesium deficiency in patients …
For many patients, magnesium is a mineral in the body that is a cofactor — a non-protein chemical that aids chemical reactions in the body — that is underrealized as important to health. Magnesium helps with nerve and muscle function, helps manage blood glucose levels, and regulates blood pressure. It is a contributor to bone development as well as taking part in the transport of ions such as calcium and potassium — aiding in muscle contraction, heart rhythm, and nerve impulse – making the 10 symptoms of magnesium deficiency an important list for wellness chiropractors.
Most magnesium found in the body is stored in the muscles, bones, and soft tissues. The body regulates magnesium absorption in the gut, filters and excretes it through the renal system, and may move magnesium from the bone to other parts of the body.
Because minerals are not made by our bodies but must be consumed, clients should be made aware of the importance of magnesium and how it affects us.
The 10 symptoms of magnesium deficiency in patients
Consider magnesium deficiency if a patient complains of the 10 symptoms of magnesium deficiency in patients:
- Fatigue or feeling weak
- Muscle cramps or muscle twitches
- Feeling sad or depressed
- Bone loss or osteoporosis
- High blood pressure
- Irregular heart rhythm or “palpitations”
- Little or no appetite
- Shakiness
- Sleepiness
- Feeling of excitability or nervousness
Why are patients magnesium deficient?
Magnesium deficiency, or hypomagnesemia, may not even be diagnosed in its early stages, as many of the symptoms don’t reveal themselves until magnesium levels are extremely low, or the signs are mistaken for symptoms of other issues.
In some cases, magnesium deficiency is caused by poor nutrition, post thyroid surgery or gastric bypass surgery, or as a result of medication, chemotherapy treatments, or proton pump inhibitors. Diabetes, alcoholism, and diseases such as celiac disease or Crohn’s disease could cause magnesium loss in the body.
How much magnesium is enough?
The National Institute of Health (NIH) recommends the following dietary allowances for magnesium:
- Age 0 to 6 months, 30 mg
- 7 to 12 months, 75 mg
- 1 to 3 years, 80 mg
- 4 to 8 years, 130 mg
- 9 to 13 years, 240 mg
After age 13, NIH recommends different amounts for males and females:
- 14 to 18 years, 410 mg for males, 360 mg for females
- 19 to 30 years, 400 mg for males, 310 mg for females
- 31 to 50 years, 420 mg for males, 320 mg for females
- 51 years and over, 420 mg for males, 320 mg for females
The recommended amounts differ if a female is pregnant or nursing.
Magnesium can be found in supplement form that can be easily absorbed into the body. The supplements include magnesium citrate, magnesium aspartate, magnesium lactate, and magnesium chloride. You can also find magnesium in some over-the-counter products used for heartburn, indigestion, or constipation.
But magnesium is found naturally in some foods or in some foods labeled as “fortified.” Here are some examples:
- Whole grains
- Nuts and seeds
- Breakfast cereals that have been fortified.
- Green leafy vegetables including spinach, broccoli, and kale
- Dairy products including yogurt, condensed milk, cheese, and milk
- Legumes, including edamame, lima beans, and lentils
- Dark chocolate
- Tomatoes
- Berries
- Bananas
- Avocados
- Fish
Don’t overlook a magnesium deficiency as the cause, or part of the cause, your patient is experiencing symptoms. A blood or urine test can help diagnose a problem that can be managed through diet or supplementation.
Sources:
https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Magnesium-HealthProfessional/
https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Magnesium-Consumer/
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