Magnesium deficiency is more common than we think!
Magnesium is involved in 80% of known metabolic functions and activates 1,000 enzyme systems so it is important to identify magnesium deficiency in patients who have multiple complaints involving multiple systems.
Role of Magnesium in the body:
- Regulates permeability of the cell membranes
- Participates in energy production
- Participates in metabolisms of sugar
- Controls blood pressure and nervous system
- Prevents muscle cramps
- Prevents depression fatigue and weakness
- Prevents diabetes and osteoporosis
Magnesium is an essential mineral for human health, and yet most people are deficient in it. This is because magnesium is not found in many foods, and the body does not absorb it well. Magnesium deficiency can lead to a number of health problems.
Most common symptoms of Magnesium deficiency include:
- Muscle twitches and cramps.
- Mental health conditions – anxiety, depression, nervousness, irritability, seasonal affective disorders (SAD), mental numbness, and lack of emotions.
- Osteoporosis. Yes, not the calcium deficiency. Deficiency might weaken bones directly, but it also lowers the blood levels of calcium, the main building block of bones. magnesium depletion results in reduced bone mass
- Fatigue and muscle weakness. Scientists believe the weakness is caused by the loss of potassium in muscle cells, a condition associated with magnesium deficiency
- High Blood Pressure, especially systolic (the top number). magnesium deficiency may increase blood pressure and promote high blood pressure, which is a strong risk factor for heart disease.
- Asthma. magnesium levels tend to be lower in individuals with asthma than in people who do not have this condition. Researchers believe a lack of magnesium may cause the buildup of calcium in the muscles lining the airways of the lungs. This causes the airways to constrict, making breathing more difficult
- Arrhythmia – Irregular heartbeat. Other possible symptoms of arrhythmia may include lightheadedness, shortness of breath, chest pain, fainting, dizziness and fatigue. Scientists believe that an imbalance of potassium levels inside and outside of heart muscle cells – a condition associated with magnesium deficiency — may be to blame. Some people with congestive heart failure and arrhythmia have been shown to have lower magnesium levels than people who don’t have heart failure.
Being practicing holistic medicine for over 20 years, I find that majority of my patients who come to me, have magnesium deficiency.
Relying just on a blood work, to identify magnesium deficiency is pointless, because blood shows only what is happening in the blood, and not inside of the cells.
Running mineral assessment testing such as HTMA (hair tissue mineral analysis) is the best way to identify magnesium deficiency along with other mineral imbalances.
I find that most patients who walk into my doors are magnesium deficient with a myriad of symptoms described above.
Choosing the right supplement to add to your daily regimen can be very difficult. Being in this field, I know most nutritional products out there and can recommend with a confidence the best supplements basically for every ailment you need help with.
My most favorite Magnesium product I recommend to most of my patients is ReMag® Minerals by RnAReSeT brand. Very affordable and truly amazing. For people with compromised intestines, or those who do not do well with oral supplements, it also comes in a Lotion Form that can be applied directly to the skin with the same benefits.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out
Yours in Health,
Dr. Aleksander Kanevsky
Article by Aleksander Kanevsky, DC, CFMP
