Magnesium Deficiency

Studies suggest magnesium deficiency is widespread throughout the global population and may be one of the leading causes of chronic diseases, including  cardiovascular disease and early mortality, and thus should be considered a public health crisis.

Unfortunately, magnesium deficiency is not easy to detect in a simple blood test, as this vital mineral is intercellular. Magnesium serum levels represent only 0.8% of the body's total magnesium stores, and therefore serve as a poor indication of the magnesium in other tissues that makes up the body's actual magnesium status.

The lack of adequate testing methods is a major contributing factor in magnesium deficiency often going undetected.

Some signs and symptoms of magnesium deficiency include the following:

• Restless leg syndrome
• Hypertension
• Weak and aching muscles or muscle spasms
• Cardiovascular disease
• Constipation
• Osteoporosis
• Insomnia
• Tooth cavities
• Stress, anxiety and mood swings

Many of these symptoms can also be related to other conditions, making them difficult to spot. Chances are, if your client has experienced one or more of the above symptoms, they may not be consuming an adequate amount of magnesium.

There are a number of reasons, including:

• A poor diet that is low in vitamins & minerals
• Digestive disorders that prevent mineral absorption
• Chronic & acute diarrhoea
• Secondary deficiency caused by prescription medications, including some loop diuretics and PPIs
• Modern farming practices that impact the soil's ability to restore natural minerals (including magnesium)
• Bodily functions such as excessive hormone production, rapid heartbeats and extra muscle movement that cause magnesium stores to be burned up faster
• Kidney disorders (the kidneys control magnesium levels in the body)
• Alcohol use disorder