Magnesium Need

Authored by Chris McDermott, APRN, practicing with autonomous authority in Florida

Introduction

Magnesium is a critical mineral required for over 300 enzymatic processes in the human body. Despite its importance, magnesium deficiency is often underdiagnosed and underestimated in conventional clinical practice. Suboptimal magnesium levels can contribute to a wide range of physical, neurological, cardiovascular, and metabolic symptoms.

At Intercoastal Health, we recognize the clinical significance of magnesium and the far-reaching impact it has on health and longevity. Through biomarker testing, functional evaluation, and root-cause treatment, we help patients restore optimal magnesium status to support energy, mood, heart function, bone health, and more.

The Biological Importance of Magnesium

Magnesium is a cofactor in hundreds of reactions involving:

• Muscle and nerve function
  
• Cardiac rhythm regulation
  
• Energy production (ATP synthesis)
  
• Protein and DNA synthesis
  
• Glucose control and insulin signaling
  
• Bone mineralization and calcium metabolism
  
  

Because magnesium plays such a broad role across organ systems, even mild deficiencies can contribute to multiple overlapping symptoms.

Symptoms of Magnesium Deficiency

Magnesium deficiency can present subtly and is often mistaken for other conditions. Symptoms may vary depending on the degree of deficiency and the individual’s physiology.
Common Signs and Symptoms:

• Muscle cramps, spasms, or twitching
  
• Fatigue or chronic low energy
  
• Numbness, tingling, or restless legs
  
• Mood disturbances: Anxiety, irritability, or depression
  
• Heart rhythm changes: Palpitations or irregular heartbeat
  
• Elevated blood pressure
  
• Headaches or migraines
  
• Poor sleep quality
  
• Constipation
  
• Premenstrual symptoms
  
• Bone loss or osteoporosis (long term)
  
  

In functional medicine, these symptoms are not simply managed—they are evaluated for underlying causes, with magnesium status being a key consideration.

Diagnosing Magnesium Deficiency: Biomarkers That Matter

Routine bloodwork often overlooks magnesium deficiency because standard serum magnesium testing is not sensitive enough. Only about 1% of the body’s total magnesium is found in the blood, and levels can remain normal even when cellular stores are depleted.
Functional Evaluation of Magnesium Includes:

At Intercoastal Health, we prioritize RBC magnesium for a more accurate assessment of tissue stores and include it in broader micronutrient and mineral panels when evaluating fatigue, cardiovascular risk, or neurological symptoms.

Causes of Magnesium Deficiency

Magnesium deficiency is typically multifactorial. In today’s modern environment, both dietary insufficiency and increased physiological demand contribute to widespread magnesium depletion.
Primary Causes Include:

• Inadequate Dietary Intake
  
• Gastrointestinal Disorders
  
• Kidney Losses
  
• Alcoholism
  
• Medications (e.g., diuretics, PPIs)
  
• Endocrine Conditions (e.g., diabetes)
  
• Stress
  
  

Conditions Associated with Magnesium Deficiency

Magnesium deficiency doesn’t occur in isolation—it’s often part of broader dysfunction. Evidence-linked conditions include:

• Cardiovascular Disease
  
• Type 2 Diabetes and Metabolic Syndrome
  
• Osteoporosis and bone loss
  
• Neurological and mental health disorders
  
• Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue
  
  

Drug-Related Interference with Magnesium

Pharmaceuticals are a leading cause of secondary magnesium deficiency. It’s critical to assess for drug-induced magnesium depletion, especially in patients on long-term medication regimens.

• Diuretics: Increase urinary magnesium loss
  
• PPIs: Impair intestinal magnesium absorption
  
• Aminoglycosides: Nephrotoxic effect increases renal loss
  
• Chemotherapy agents: Cause mucosal damage and renal excretion
  
• Oral contraceptives: May interfere with absorption
  
• Corticosteroids: Promote renal excretion
  
  

Functional Medicine Treatment Approach at Intercoastal Health

At Intercoastal Health, we go beyond identifying a deficiency—we work to understand why it developed and how to correct it at the source.

1. Comprehensive Assessment
   
2. Nutritional Repletion
   
3. Supplementation (as needed)
   
4. Address Underlying Triggers
   
   

(Details unchanged for brevity.)

Monitoring and Long-Term Care

• Recheck labs every 3–6 months if supplementing
  
• Monitor for GI side effects or renal impairment
  
• Coordinate magnesium therapy with other minerals