About magnesium and magnesium deficiency
Magnesium, which is a mineral, is responsible for many important functions and processes in the body's various biological processes, including metabolism, nerve function and the cell's ability to absorb glucose. We get magnesium through our diet as it is naturally found in many foods, mainly in leafy vegetables, legumes, whole grain products and meat, fish and shellfish. Magnesium is also found in our tap water - especially in municipalities with hard water
What can high levels of magnesium be caused by?
High levels of magnesium in the blood (hypermagnesemia) can be caused by chronic kidney failure, treatment with magnesium-containing antacids and myxedema.
What can low levels of magnesium be caused by?
Low levels of magnesium in the blood (hypomagnesemia) can be caused by a number of factors, including severe malnutrition, problems absorbing magnesium from food (for example, in steatorrhea or after bowel resections), long-term nutrition via a drip, long-term diarrhea, chronic alcoholism , treatment with diuretics, damage to the kidneys, overproduction of aldosterone and lack of parathyroid hormone.
Symptoms of magnesium deficiency
Magnesium deficiency is quite uncommon but can occur with dietary restrictions or with certain diseases. If you are deficient in magnesium, it can cause stunted growth, behavioral disorders and disturbances in heart function. Here are symptoms that can occur with magnesium deficiency:
- muscle weakness
- depression
- tremors
- nerve direction
- tetanus
- cramps
- vasodilation.
How much magnesium do we need to get in?
How much magnesium we need to get is controlled by our gender and age. For women and girls over 14 years of age, a daily intake of 280 milligrams is recommended, for men and boys over 14 years of age, 350 milligrams per day is recommended.
