Thus, the elderly population is especially at risk of magnesium deficiency due to low intake but also increased risk for chronic diseases that predispose to magnesium deficiency (ageing also reduces magnesium absorption from the diet, ie, achlorhydria).
Nearly everyone is magnesium deficient. However, it is a relatively simple deficiency to correct — if you take action to eat more magnesium-rich foods or supplement. If you experience any of the symptoms above, consult with your doctor and/or receive a blood panel to determine if you are deficient.
Magnesium deficiency can cause a wide variety of features including hypocalcaemia, hypokalaemia and cardiac and neurological manifestations. Chronic low magnesium state has been associated with a number of chronic diseases including diabetes, hypertension, coronary heart disease, and osteoporosis.
Research indicates a strong link between low magnesium levels and a number of autoimmune diseases ranging from Alzheimer's to Diabetes. In fact, there is a significant correlation between increasing dietary magnesium to reduce the severity of rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis.
One of the biggest factors is the presence of calcium in the diet, as high calcium foods can reduce your magnesium absorption (and vice versa). Foods containing sugar and caffeine may have similar effects.
Magnesium status is low in populations who consume processed foods high in fats, refined grains, sugar, and phosphate, according to the study. Vitamin D cannot be metabolized without sufficient magnesium levels.
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.
In addition, there are a range of factors, such as phytic acid and oxalic acid found in certain foods and some prescription drugs, which can interfere with magnesium absorption. Poor crop quality and modern day food processing methods make it very difficult to get enough magnesium through dietary sources alone.
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.
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.
This overlap in the results suggests that stress could increase magnesium loss, causing a deficiency; and in turn, magnesium deficiency could enhance the body's susceptibility to stress, resulting in a magnesium and stress vicious circle.
Deficiencies due to poor absorption of magnesium from the gastrointestinal tract include: Diseases causing malabsorption such as celiac disease and inflammatory bowel disease. Gastric bypass surgery. Hereditary syndromes causing poor absorption of magnesium (primary intestinal hypomagnesemia).
Magnesium is important for maintaining muscle and nervous system function, cardiac electrical properties, and for supporting immune system as well as regulating glucose and insulin metabolism [2,3].
Physical exercise may deplete magnesium, which, together with a marginal dietary magnesium intake, may impair energy metabolism efficiency and the capacity for physical work.
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.
The following groups of people are more likely than others to get too little magnesium: People with gastrointestinal diseases (such as Crohn's disease and celiac disease) People with type 2 diabetes. People with long-term alcoholism.
Magnesium glycinate -- Magnesium glycinate (magnesium bound with glycine, a non-essential amino acid) is one of the most bioavailable and absorbable forms of magnesium, and also the least likely to induce diarrhea.
Magnesium diglycinate (or bisglycinate), has been found to be easily absorbed and transported to the bloodstream. It's shown to be consistently better absorbed than other forms of magnesium, including magnesium oxide and magnesium citrate, making it an ideal magnesium supplement for everyday magnesium replenishment.