The impact of magnesium and zinc deficiency 

The human body relies on a myriad of vitamins and minerals to function properly; when we are deficient in one or more areas, dysfunction and disease are the eventual result. Two of those nutrients, magnesium and zinc, are among the most critical. A magnesium and zinc deficiency in can, over time, contribute to life-limiting illness, from diabetes to heart disease to Alzheimer’s. 

Read on to discover what recent research has shown about the importance of maintaining proper levels of these nutrients. 

Magnesium: Multiple roles 

Magnesium plays such an important role in patient health. It can help with depression,^1,2 bone strength,³ cardiovascular health,⁴ insulin and blood sugar control.⁵ It is nature’s muscle relaxer. Magnesium is an important cofactor in more than 300 chemical reactions in the body. It is important for ATP synthesis (cellular energy) and is found in tissues with high metabolic activity. The heart, liver, brain and kidneys all have the highest intracellular concentrations of magnesium.   

Patients on cardiac medication always need magnesium. Furosemide and ACE inhibitors deplete magnesium.⁶ Many CHF patients show a deficiency in magnesium and demonstrate a significant decrease in premature ventricular depolarizations when supplemented with magnesium.⁷ Furthermore, other research found CHF patients supplemented with magnesium had improved survival rates (75.7% compared to 51.6% over the course of one year).^8,9 Studies have found magnesium improves the health of the vascular endothelium in heart failure patients¹⁹ and also reduces inflammatory markers.¹⁰ Magnesium orotate is the best form of magnesium to give patients with cardiac issues.^8,10 

One study looked at the relationship between sudden cardiac death and magnesium levels in the serum of 14,232 subjects between ages 45 and 64. Researchers found an inverse association between serum magnesium levels and the incidence of sudden cardiac death.¹¹ In the 12 years (average) of follow-up, there were 264 cases of sudden cardiac death. The subjects with magnesium levels in the highest quartile of serum magnesium had a 38% lower risk of sudden cardiac death when compared to the subjects in the lowest quartile. 

Asthma patients benefit from magnesium. Magnesium has the reputation of being “nature’s muscle relaxer;” many studies show it is effective in relieving muscle cramps and even menstrual cramps. Possibly, that benefit applies to the bronchioles as well. Intravenous magnesium has been used in emergency rooms for patients having acute asthma attacks. Research has shown it improves symptoms and reduces hospital stays.¹² The use of nebulized magnesium has been studied and found to improve symptoms and reduce hospital stays as well.^13,14 

Giving magnesium to asthmatics who are not in crisis is also beneficial. One study looked at 55 subjects between ages 21 and 55, with mild to moderate asthma. They were randomly divided into two groups and given either a placebo or 340 mg of magnesium per day over a 6½ month period. The severity of the subjects’ asthma was evaluated using pulmonary function testing, methacoline challenge testing and subjective questionnaires about the severity of asthma and quality of life. The researchers found the subjects who received the magnesium were much more resistant to the methacoline challenge and also had great improvements in their pulmonary function tests. The magnesium group scored higher on the quality-of-life questionnaires as well.¹⁵ This is supported by the results of other studies.¹⁶  

Migraine sufferers need magnesium. Migraine sufferers may benefit from magnesium supplementation. One study found migraine sufferers had significantly lower magnesium levels than did the subjects without headaches.¹⁷ Also, IV magnesium has been shown to stop a migraine attack.¹⁸ Subclinical magnesium deficiency may be an issue in at least some migraine headaches because some studies have shown magnesium supplementation can reduce the frequency and severity of migraine attacks.^19,20 

Zinc: Repair and build immunity 

Zinc is needed to mobilize vitamin A out of storage. This is why so many symptoms of zinc deficiency are similar to the symptoms of vitamin A deficiency. Zinc deficiency causes slow growth in infants and children, delayed sexual development in adolescents and impotence in men. Zinc deficiency also causes hair loss, diarrhea, eye and skin sores and loss of appetite. Weight loss, problems with wound healing, decreased ability to taste food and lower alertness levels can also occur. 

Supplemental zinc has been used to improve the immune system^21,22 (deficiency is associated with atrophy of the thymus, reduction in white blood cell counts and increased susceptibility to infection,^23,24  improve cognition,²⁵ aid wound healing,^26,27 and improve the ability to taste or smell.²⁸ Zinc deficiency has been implicated in age-related osteoporosis,²⁹ and zinc supplements can speed the healing of fractures in animal models.30 Another important role for zinc is in maintaining male reproductive function. Deficiency of zinc is associated with hypogonadism and low levels of serum testosterone (reversible upon supplementation).³¹ It helps with sexual performance³² and sperm quality.³³ Zinc also appears to be important for the activity of growth hormone (GH) since GH loses effectiveness under conditions of zinc deficiency.³⁴ 

Orotates have been put forth by a rather controversial figure, Hans Alfred Neiper, MD. Zinc orotate stabilizes blood glucose and reduces the need for insulin in diabetics, according to  Nieper. In addition, zinc orotate and other zinc compounds synergize with sulfur-containing antioxidants (sulfhydryls) to protect against free radical-induced tissue injury,^35,36 a result which may have relevance to the treatment of diabetes as well as other diseases of increased oxidative stress.³⁷ 

Final thoughts 

To sum up, magnesium and zinc are some of the most critical elements to proper body functioning. Recommending the testing of these levels to all your patients can help you head off a variety of health issues before they become major problems, and supplementing (or changing the diet) to improve these levels can only help your patients with whatever issues they come to you with.  

PAUL VARNAS, DC, DACBN, is a graduate of the National College of Chiropractic and has had a functional medicine practice for 34 years. He is the author of several books and has taught nutrition at the National University of Health Sciences. For a free PDF of “Instantly Have a Functional Medicine Practice” or a patient handout on the anti-inflammatory diet, email him at paulgvarnas@gmail.com. 

References 

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28. Stewart-Knox BJ, et al. Taste acuity in response to zinc supplementation in older Europeans. Br J Nutr. 2008;99(1):129-136. PubMed. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17651517/. Accessed Dec. 12, 2023. 
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31. Kurtogu S, et al. Effect of growth hormone on epiphyseal growth plates in zinc deficiency. Tokai J Exp Clin Med. 1987;12(5-6):325-329. Europe PMC. https://europepmc.org/article/MED/3508657. Accessed Dec. 12, 2023. 
32. Antoniou LD, et al. Reversal of uraemic impotence by zinc. J Am Coll Nutr. 1983;2(2):157-162. PubMed. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/72240/. Accessed Dec. 12, 2023. 
33. Irani M, et al. The Effect of Folate and Folate Plus Zinc Supplementation on Endocrine Parameters and Sperm Characteristics in Sub-Fertile Men: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Urol J. 2017 Aug 29;14(5):4069-4078. PubMed. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28853101/. Accessed Dec. 12, 2023. 
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