Magnesium helps transport calcium and potassium ions in and out of cells. It may also contribute to the absorption of these important minerals. This is why a lack of magnesium can lead to low calcium and potassium levels.
Magnesium deficiency is frequently associated with hypokalemia. Concomitant magnesium deficiency aggravates hypokalemia and renders it refractory to treatment by potassium. Herein is reviewed literature suggesting that magnesium deficiency exacerbates potassium wasting by increasing distal potassium secretion.
Potassium repletion
Always check the serum magnesium level and replete magnesium prior to repleting potassium. Low magnesium can exacerbate renal potassium losses.
A decrease in intracellular magnesium, caused by magnesium deficiency, releases the magnesium-mediated inhibition of ROMK channels and increases potassium secretion. Magnesium deficiency alone, however, does not necessarily cause hypokalemia.
Magnesium regulates activity of the renal outer medullary potassium (ROMK) channel. Intracellular magnesium is inversely proportional to the open ROMK channel pore. Therefore low intracellular magnesium causes more ROMK channels to open, allowing more K+ efflux into the urine.
However, potassium isn't able to do any of these jobs efficiently without magnesium. This is the critical link between these two ions and the heart — magnesium is critical to transporting potassium into the heart cells and optimizing heart health.
Low blood potassium typically occurs because of an excessive loss of potassium in your digestive tract. This may be due to frequent vomiting, diarrhea or laxative use. Other causes of hypokalemia include: Eating disorders, such as bulimia nervosa.
Antacids and insulin are additional medications that can interfere with potassium absorption. Certain medications, such as ACE inhibitors, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and beta-blockers, can have the opposite effect and raise potassium levels.
Both magnesium and potassium are important minerals that support your overall health and well-being. Magnesium supports essential muscle and heart functioning while potassium benefits heart functioning by helping to control the activity of the heart muscle.
A: Potassium chloride and potassium gluconate are beneficial for health problems. Potassium gluconate has a high absorption rate of 94%, making it suitable for "quick" demands such as leg cramps or blood pressure control. A doctor may prescribe potassium chloride to treat hypokalemia or low potassium levels.
In fact, more than 300 nerve impulses and enzymatic reactions require magnesium as a co-factor. Besides calcium and oxygen transport, magnesium can directly affect sodium and potassium inter-cellular transport throughout cells as well. Longer and more intense exercise can deplete magnesium levels.
A high intracellular magnesium level blocks the ROMK channel pore and prevents potassium efflux. Therefore, low intracellular magnesium will cause potassium efflux and result in hypokalemia [38].
Magnesium is more effective in reducing BP when administered in a natural form as a combination of magnesium, potassium, and calcium than when given alone.
Studies have found that anxiety increases adrenal hormones, which can decrease blood potassium [17]. Avoid or manage stress. Good strategies to manage stress are getting adequate rest, engaging in exercise, relaxation, meditation, etc. Discuss supplemental potassium with your doctor.
Magnesium has always been touted as the super mineral for sleep, but recent research suggests that its friend, potassium, may be just as beneficial—and this is why swapping your morning potassium supplement for the evening might be ideal.
Gastrointestinal losses of potassium usually are due to prolonged diarrhea or vomiting, chronic laxative abuse, inadequate dietary intake of potassium, intestinal obstruction or infections such as fistulas in the intestines which continually drain intestinal fluids.
Several hormones, including insulin, epinephrine, aldosterone, and glucocorticoids are involved in the maintenance of normal extrarenal potassium metabolism10. These hormones enhance potassium uptake by the liver and muscle.
Taking magnesium supplements typically corrects both deficiencies without also having to take extra potassium, but your doctor will help you determine if this is true in your case.