Magnesium deficiency is diagnosed via a blood test and sometimes a urine test. Your doctor may order the blood test if you have symptoms such as weakness, irritability, abnormal heart rhythm, nausea and/or diarrhoea, or if you have abnormal calcium or potassium levels.
A serum magnesium test measures the level of magnesium in the blood.
The serum magnesium test isn't included in the routine electrolyte panel, so there generally has to be a reason for your magnesium levels to be tested. Your doctor may order a test if they suspect your magnesium level is too high or too low.
You can test your magnesium levels by purchasing a simple at-home finger prick test kit which is then analysed at an accredited lab. Forth offers a number of blood tests which include magnesium such as our Nutri-check test and Menopause Health blood test.
Some experts don't think a blood test is the best way to find out your magnesium level. That's because much of the magnesium in your body is stored in your bones and other places, not in the blood. Stress can send magnesium out of your cells and into your blood.
You might want to consider a magnesium supplement if you: Have long-term alcoholism and alcohol dependence, since your diet may be poor. Have osteoporosis, since you need more magnesium to help protect your bones. Have Crohn's disease or celiac disease, since chronic diarrhea may lower your magnesium levels over time.
Refining or processing of food may deplete magnesium content by nearly 85%. Furthermore, cooking, especially boiling of magnesium-rich foods, will result in significant loss of magnesium. The processing and cooking of food may therefore explain the apparently high prevalence of low magnesium intake in many populations.
Severe magnesium deficiency can cause problems with the function of your nervous system and heart. It can lead to things like muscle spasms, seizures, or heart arrhythmias. Oral or intravenous magnesium can supplement a low magnesium level. But it's important to find and address the underlying cause.
Mg is essential in the metabolism of vitamin D, and taking large doses of vitamin D can induce severe depletion of Mg. Adequate magnesium supplementation should be considered as an important aspect of vitamin D therapy.
Chronic magnesium deficiency is often associated with normal serum magnesium despite deficiency in cells and in bone; the response to oral supplementation is slow and may take up to 40 weeks to reach a steady state.
Fruit juices such as orange juice, cherry juice, and watermelon juice are all good sources of magnesium, potassium, and phosphorus. According to the FNDDS, the average school container (124 grams) of 100% orange juice provides : 13.6 mg of magnesium.
In general rich sources of magnesium are greens, nuts, seeds, dry beans, whole grains, wheat germ, wheat and oat bran. The recommended dietary allowance for magnesium for adult men is 400-420 mg per day. The dietary allowance for adult women is 310-320 mg per day.
Fruits high in magnesium include dried figs, avocados, guavas, bananas, kiwi fruit, papayas, blackberries, raspberries, cantaloupes, and grapefruit. The daily value (DV) for magnesium 420mg per day.
The role of magnesium is complex and its deficiency is implicated in a number of nonspecific neuropsychological changes such as agitation, fear, anxiety, depression, dizziness, poor attention, insomnia, and restlessness. Some of these symptoms characterize the mental illness known as neurosis.
While coffee does not directly affect magnesium levels already present in your body, it does, however, affect your body's absorption of magnesium. Some signs of a magnesium deficiency include agitation, anxiety, rapid breathing, muscle tremors or spasms, and irregular heart rhythm.
Magnesium begins to take effect after one week of consistent supplementation. A multivitamin such as Performance Lab NutriGenesis Multi would be the most beneficial supplement to take.
Nassar says that taking a magnesium supplement every day likely isn't unsafe for most people. Just be sure you're not taking too much magnesium. The maximum dietary allowance for most adults is around 400 mg or less.
High doses of magnesium from supplements or medications can cause nausea, abdominal cramping and diarrhea. In addition, the magnesium in supplements can interact with some types of antibiotics and other medicines.
Hypomagnesemia occurs with both loop diuretics (furosemide, bumetanide, torsemide, and ethacrynic acid) and thiazide diuretics (chlorothiazide, hydrochlorothiazide, indapamide, and metolazone).
Prolonged magnesium deficiency can have an adverse impact on a person's long-term health and increase the risk of chronic diseases, including: heart disease. high blood pressure. type 2 diabetes.
A study in the journal Archives of Low magnesium levels can also result in dizziness. If you experience a feeling of dizziness that does not go away, it could be due to magnesium deficiency. Dizziness is a difficult symptom to properly diagnose. Low magnesium is often overlooked as the culprit.