Magnesium deficiency in healthy people is rare but it can be caused by: a poor diet (especially in elderly people or those who don't have enough to eat) type 2 diabetes. digestive problems such as Crohn's disease.
Some foods can block the absorption of magnesium, for example, high protein diets can decrease magnesium absorption. Tannins in tea bind and remove minerals including magnesium. Oxalic acid in rhubarb, spinach and chard and phytic acid in cereals and soy also block the absorption 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.
Green leafy vegetables, wholegrains, nuts, seeds and legumes are great sources of this vital mineral. You may need to supplement with extra magnesium in tablet or powder form if your levels have dipped low.
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.
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.
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.
A variety of drugs including antibiotics, chemotherapeutic agents, diuretics and proton pump inhibitors can cause magnesium loss and hypomagnesemia (see Table 3).
Health conditions such as diabetes, poor absorption, chronic diarrhea, and celiac disease are associated with magnesium loss. People with alcohol use disorder are also at an increased risk of deficiency ( 2 ).
Vitamin D and calcium
The active form of vitamin D (calcitriol) may slightly increase intestinal absorption of magnesium (6). However, it is not clear whether magnesium absorption is calcitriol-dependent as is the absorption of calcium and phosphate.
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.
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.
Some of the first signs of magnesium deficiency can be: Fatigue. Loss of appetite. Muscle spasms.
The avocado is an incredibly nutritious fruit and a tasty source of magnesium. One medium avocado provides 58 mg of magnesium, which is 14% of the DV ( 7 ). Avocados are also high in potassium, B vitamins, and vitamin K. Plus, unlike most fruits, they're high in fat — especially heart-healthy monounsaturated fat ( 7 ).
In addition to antioxidants, blueberries are rich in nutrients such as iron, zinc, calcium, magnesium, and potassium, as well as vitamins C, E, and K. Here is the nutritional information for one cup of blueberries, according to the USDA: 84 calories.
9 milligrams (mg) calcium. 0.41 mg of iron. 114 mg of potassium. 9 mg of magnesium.
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.
Dark chocolates are confirmed as an excellent source of magnesium (252.2 mg/100 g) and iron (10.9 mg/100 g): in chocolate containing 90% cocoa, their content corresponds to, respectively, 67.0% and 80.3 of Nutrient Reference Values (NRV) in the European Union.
Eat Bananas for a Magnesium-Rich Snack
Bananas may be better known for being rich in heart-healthy and bone-strengthening potassium, but a medium-size banana also provides 32 mg (or 8 percent DV) of magnesium, along with 10.3 mg of vitamin C (11.4 percent DV) and 3 g (12 percent) of fiber, according to the USDA.
Magnesium malate
This type of magnesium is a compound of magnesium and malic acid. Some evidence suggests that it is highly bioavailable and that people tolerate it well. A 2019 animal study found that out of several types of magnesium, magnesium malate was the fastest to absorb after a single dose.