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The Silent Threat: Unmasking the Hidden Dangers of Magnesium Insufficiency

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Worldwide, subclinical magnesium insufficiency is a prevalent and poorly understood issue. Importantly, subclinical magnesium insufficiency does not present with clinically obvious symptoms, making it difficult for the clinician to identify. Despite this, it is likely that subclinical magnesium shortage causes hypertension, arrhythmias, arterial calcifications, atherosclerosis, heart failure, and a higher risk of thrombosis. This shows that a primary, yet underappreciated, cause of cardiovascular illness is asymptomatic magnesium insufficiency. In order to better educate patients and medical professionals on the prevalence, risks, and diagnosis of subclinical magnesium deficiency, more public health initiatives are required.

The likelihood of magnesium deficiency can be affected by a variety of variables, including age, certain medical conditions, and drugs.

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), many Americans do not consume the necessary quantities of magnesium.

An analysis of data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2013 to 2016 found that 48% of Americans of all ages consume less magnesium than their corresponding EARs from food and beverages; adult men 71 years of age and older and adolescent males and females are most likely to have low intakes.

A health condition known as hypomagnesemia, or magnesium shortage, can manifest as both physical and mental symptoms. Low magnesium can cause a variety of physical and mental problems. Common signs of magnesium insufficiency include the following:

• Appetite loss

• Vomiting and nauseous

• Weakness and exhaustion

• Muscle tremors or spasms

• Unusual heartbeats

• Tremors, twitches, and cramps in the muscles

• Leg twitching or cramping

• Unaccounted-for muscle ache

• Legs or hand tingling or numbness

• General physical weakened

• Shimmies

• Chest fluttering

It is significant to remember that symptoms of low magnesium levels typically do not appear until the levels drop sharply. Low amounts over an extended period of time can raise the risk of osteoporosis, type 2 diabetes, and high blood pressure. Seizures, arrhythmia, and persistent muscular spasms are some of the more serious symptoms that can result from extremely low magnesium levels.

Poor food, digestive issues, chronic vomiting or diarrhea, kidney issues, long-term use of diuretics, certain medications, and alcoholism can all contribute to magnesium deficiency.

You should consult your doctor if you are worried that your magnesium levels may be low. While taking supplements in modest doses probably won’t harm you, taking too much magnesium can be harmful.

It is crucial to discuss magnesium shortage with your doctor if you are exhibiting any of the symptoms listed above. Your magnesium levels can be checked with a blood test, and they can then suggest the best course of action.

KEY References

Migala, J. (2022, September 29). Magnesium Deficiency Signs and Symptoms. EverydayHealth.com. https://www.everydayhealth.com/diet-nutrition/what-are-the-signs-and-symptoms-of-magnesium-deficiency/

Bertinato, J. (2017, January 1). Magnesium Deficiency: Prevalence, Assessment, and Physiological Effects. Springer eBooks. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-40007-5_6-1

Magnesium deficiency. (n.d.). Symptoms, Causes, Treatment & Prevention | Healthdirect. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/magnesium-deficiency

Magnesium deficiency. (n.d.). Symptoms, Causes, Treatment & Prevention | Healthdirect. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/magnesium-deficiency

Magnesium Deficiency: How Do You Know If Your Levels Are Low? (n.d.). https://www.houstonmethodist.org/blog/articles/2023/apr/magnesium-deficiency-symptoms-causes-how-to-test-for-it/

BSc, A. A. (2023, June 19). 7 Signs and Symptoms of Magnesium Deficiency. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/magnesium-deficiency-symptoms

8 magnesium deficiency symptoms (and 9 high magnesium foods) | University Health Center. (n.d.). https://health.unl.edu/8-magnesium-deficiency-symptoms-and-9-high-magnesium-foods

Office of Dietary Supplements – Magnesium. (n.d.). https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Magnesium-HealthProfessional/

DiNicolantonio, J. J., O’Keefe, J. H., & Wilson, W. (2018, January 1). Subclinical magnesium deficiency: a principal driver of cardiovascular disease and a public health crisis. Open Heart; BMJ. https://doi.org/10.1136/openhrt-2017-000668

DiNicolantonio, J. J., O’Keefe, J. H., & Wilson, W. (2018, January 1). Subclinical magnesium deficiency: a principal driver of cardiovascular disease and a public health crisis. Open Heart; BMJ. https://doi.org/10.1136/openhrt-2017-000668

Study: Half of All Americans are Magnesium Deficient. (2021, March 5). Pharmacy Times. https://www.pharmacytimes.com/view/study-half-of-all-americans-are-magnesium-deficient

Magnesium. (2023, April 9). Linus Pauling Institute. https://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/minerals/magnesium

Ford, E. S., & Mokdad, A. H. (2003, September 1). Dietary Magnesium Intake in a National Sample of U.S. Adults. Journal of Nutrition; Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/jn/133.9.2879

Micronutrient Inadequacies in the US Population: an Overview. (2023, January 3). Linus Pauling Institute. https://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/micronutrient-inadequacies/overview

Ford, E. S., & Mokdad, A. H. (2003, September 1). Dietary Magnesium Intake in a National Sample of U.S. Adults. Journal of Nutrition; Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/jn/133.9.2879

USUAL NUTRIENT INTAKE from Food and Beverages, by Gender and Age. (2019, May). USDA – United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved September 22, 2023, from https://www.ars.usda.gov/ARSUserFiles/80400530/pdf/usual/Usual_Intake_gender_WWEIA_2013_2016.pdf

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