Disorders Commonly Associated with Individuals with Magnesium Deficiency.

Magnesium is one of the most overlooked and among the most depleted minerals in the modern diet.

High-carbohydrate diets readily deplete it, and its deficiency can lead to high blood pressure, anxiety disorders, extreme and chronic muscle tension, impaired liver and brain function, cancer, and heart disease.

Liver detoxification enzymes are magnesium-dependent, and magnesium can help offset the toxicity of many ingested substances.

Optimal dosages for adults and children can vary considerably relative to dietary habits and whatever physical or mental demands, symptoms, or issues an individual has.

On average, 2.5 to 4.5 mg of magnesium per pound of ideal body weight is likely sufficient for the average healthy individual.

Smaller doses at a time (100–200 mg), two or three times a day, are more optimal for best absorption.

Superior bioavailability can be found in forms such as ionic magnesium, magnesium glycinate, and transdermal magnesium sources such as “magnesium oil” and Epsom salt dissolved in bathwater.

Add more supplemental magnesium if any items from the following list of disorders resulting from magnesium deficiency apply to you, since more may temporarily be needed to replenish a deficiency, or if you are particularly active or under extra stress.

Cut back on supplementation if stools become too soft or loose.

Ionic forms are better at avoiding this problem, as they are better at absorbing intracellularly, where it is most needed, and are less likely to be readily excreted by the colon.

As it stands, most individuals can likely benefit from some magnesium supplementation.

Just remember that no nutrient functions in isolation in the body and be sure to eat foods that provide adequate minerals (including calcium) from other sources.

The following disorders are commonly associated with magnesium deficiency.

Alzheimer’s and disease angina
anxiety disorders arrhythmia
arthritis; rheumatoid and osteoarthritis
asthma and autism
autoimmune disorders all types of cavities
cerebral palsy in children from magnesium-deficient
mothers chronic fatigue syndrome
congestive heart disease constipation
crooked teeth or narrow jaw—in children from magnesium-deficient mothers
depression
eating disorders bulimia and anorexia fibromyalgia
gut disorders including peptic ulcer, Crohn’s disease, colitis, and food allergy
heart disease arteriosclerosis, high cholesterol, and high triglyceride levels
heart disease in infants from magnesium-deficient mothers
high blood pressure and hypoglycemia
impaired athletic performance
infantile seizure in children from magnesium-deficient mothers
insomnia and kidney stones
Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS)
migraines including cluster-type mitral valve prolapse multiple
sclerosis and muscle cramps
muscle weakness and fatigue
myopia in children from magnesium-deficient mothers’
obesity especially obesity associated with high-carbohydrate diets
osteoporosis (in such cases, just adding magnesium reversed bone loss)
Parkinson’s disease
PMS—including menstrual pain and irregularities primary
pulmonary hypertension
Raynaud’s syndrome
sudden infant death syndrome and (SIDS) stroke
Syndrome X; insulin resistance
thyroid disorders—low, high, and autoimmune (low magnesium levels reduce production of the thyroid hormone T4)

Unfortunately, serum blood tests are an unreliable tool for measuring magnesium levels, as they do not measure intracellular magnesium, where it is most important.

Other conditions are also associated with chronic and acute low-magnesium intake, and further research continues to confirm these relationships.