A low magnesium level can be a sign of diabetes, some digestive problems, malnourishment, or long-term (chronic) alcoholism. Lower magnesium levels during pregnancy may mean preeclampsia.
Every organ in the body, especially the heart, muscles, and kidneys, needs the mineral magnesium. It also contributes to the makeup of teeth and bones.
If your magnesium is low because you aren't getting enough magnesium in your diet, try to eat more of the following foods that have lots of magnesium: Nuts and nut butters — especially almonds, peanuts, and cashews. Spinach. Grains, like rice and whole-wheat breads and cereals.
Hypomagnesemia happens when you have a low level of magnesium, an electrolyte, in your blood. It can be mild or severe and is treatable. It often happens alongside low calcium and potassium levels, which are also electrolytes.
Diabetics or individuals with other blood sugar abnormalities, such as insulin resistance – because of increased urinary excretion, decreased dietary intake, and increased need. Individuals who consume a diet high in pastries and other junk foods – which are basically devoid of magnesium.
Hypomagnesemia occurs with both loop diuretics (furosemide, bumetanide, torsemide, and ethacrynic acid) and thiazide diuretics (chlorothiazide, hydrochlorothiazide, indapamide, and metolazone).
One study shows that 68% of Americans are magnesium deficient (www.usda.gov). 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.
Bananas may be best known for being rich in heart-healthy and bone-strengthening potassium, but a medium-size banana also provides 32 mg of magnesium, in addition to 10.3 mg of vitamin C (a good source) and 3 g (a good source) of fiber, according to the USDA.
One study of older adults with insomnia found that magnesium supplementation at a dose of 500 milligrams daily for eight weeks helped them fall asleep faster, stay asleep longer, reduced nighttime awakenings, and increased their levels of naturally circulating melatonin.
The normal range for blood magnesium level is 1.7 to 2.2 mg/dL (0.85 to 1.10 mmol/L). Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories.
One of the implications of low levels of magnesium is muscle fatigue, muscle pain, spasms and cramps, and tension headaches.
In addition to anxiety, low magnesium levels have been linked with: Higher levels of stress. Depression. Insomnia or sleep disturbances.
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.
Hypomagnesemia associates with inflammation and risk of diabetes and hypertension, which may contribute to kidney function decline.
Magnesium will not help you lose belly fat. You can't spot reduce fat. However, magnesium has a positive correlation with weight loss.