The more that magnesium is studied the more of its many roles that are discovered. Low levels of magnesium have been associated with muscle weakness, chronic fatigue, muscle cramps, heart problems, elevated blood pressure, hypersensitivity of the nerves, mental disturbances, and depression. Why does magnesium effect so many different areas of your body? Magnesium's role is to help your enzymes work correctly and in turn enzymes work in every cell of your body to make them function correctly.
The causes of low magnesium can be varied. In our world of processed and modified foods many Americans are not getting the quality of food that they need. The best foods for magnesium are green leafy vegetables, fish, meats, and fruits. Magnesium is depleted by alcohol consumption and very high fat diets. So, if you are concerned that you are low in magnesium, increase you fruits and vegetables and reduce your alcohol and fat, never a bad idea anyway.
Of course there are causes that are not as easily helped. Inflammatory conditions of the small and large intestines such as irritable bowel syndrome or gluten sensitivity can lead to an inability to absorb magnesium. Or on the other side certain conditions can cause the kidneys to excrete magnesium at a rate greater than is absorbed. Similarly heart medications, stomach acid blockers, and antibiotics can all decrease magnesium levels. If you suspect that this maybe the case, I can use Functional Medicine testing to determine what the real cause is.
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