Magnesium Deficiency

Magnesium deficiency, also known as hypomagnesemia, refers to a lower than normal level of magnesium in the blood. Magnesium is an essential mineral that plays a critical role in numerous bodily functions, including protein synthesis, muscle and nerve function, blood glucose control, and blood pressure regulation. It also contributes to the structural development of bone and is required for the synthesis of DNA, RNA, and the antioxidant glutathione. The normal range of magnesium in the blood is typically between 1.7 and 2.2 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL). Deficiency often develops over time and can be due to various factors, such as inadequate dietary intake, chronic alcoholism, gastrointestinal disorders that affect absorption, diabetes, hyperparathyroidism, and the use of certain medications like diuretics.

Symptoms of magnesium deficiency are often subtle unless levels become severely low. Early signs may include loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and weakness. As the deficiency becomes more pronounced, it can lead to numbness, tingling, muscle contractions and cramps, seizures, personality changes, abnormal heart rhythms, and coronary spasms. Because magnesium is involved in so many cellular processes, its deficiency can affect virtually every system in the body, highlighting the need for adequate intake through diet or supplementation as necessary under medical guidance. Diagnosis is typically made through a blood test, and treatment involves addressing the underlying cause and restoring magnesium levels to the normal range.