Magnesium is a fascinating element which plays a role in many different body functions. Magnesium is found throughout the body. It is believed to be essential for calcium deposition into bone. It is required for energy production and muscle relaxation. It has been shown to be very effective in stopping nervous twitches, muscle cramping while at rest, and restless leg syndrome. More important, it is absolutely essential for proper heart function. Without magnesium, the heart cannot relax. Sudden heart attacks are many times the result of a lack of Magnesium. Alcohol consumption impedes the availability of Magnesium to the cells.
Dietary surveys suggest that many Americans do not consume magnesium in the recommended amounts. Treatment with diuretics (water pills), some antibiotics, and some medicine used to treat cancer, such as Cisplatin, can increase the loss of magnesium in urine. Poorly controlled diabetes increases loss of magnesium in urine, causing a depletion of magnesium stores. Alcohol also increases excretion of magnesium in urine, and a high alcohol intake has been associated with magnesium deficiency. Signs of magnesium deficiency include confusion, disorientation, loss of appetite, depression, muscle contractions and cramps, tingling, numbness, abnormal heart rhythms, coronary spasm, and seizures.
Older Publications
The following references have become outdated or may have been superseded by newer science-based publications. Nonetheless, they remain relevant and considered critical information resources. Click on the name of the author to read the publication.
Dorup I. Magnesium and potassium deficiency. Its diagnosis, occurrence and treatment in diuretic therapy and its consequences for growth, protein synthesis and growth factors. Acta Physiol Scand Suppl. 1994;618:1-55. Review.
Sojka JE, Weaver CM. Magnesium supplementation and osteoporosis. Nutr Rev. 1995 Mar;53(3):71-4.
Dimai HP, Porta S, Wirnsberger G, Lindschinger M, Pamperl I, Dobnig H, Wilders-Truschnig M, Lau KH. Daily oral magnesium supplementation suppresses bone turnover in young adult males. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1998 Aug;83(8):2742-8.
Kumeda Y, Inaba M. Metabolic syndrome and Magnesium Clin Calcium. 2005 Nov;15(11):97-104.
Shechter M, Shechter A. Magnesium and myocardial infarction. Heart Institute, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel.
de Araujo M, Andrade L, Coimbra TM, Rodrigues AC Jr, Seguro AC. Magnesium Supplementation Combined with N-Acetylcysteine Protects against Postischemic Acute Renal Failure. J Am Soc Nephrol. 2005 Nov;16(11):3339-49. Epub 2005 Sep 21. PMID: 16177005
Singewald N, Sinner C, Hetzenauer A, Sartori SB, Murck H. Magnesium-deficient diet alters depression- and anxiety-related behavior in mice–influence of desipramine and Hypericum perforatum extract. Neuropharmacology. 2004 Dec;47(8):1189-97.
Diabetes
Eibl NL, Kopp HP, Nowak HR, Schnack CJ, Hopmeier PG, Schernthaner G. Diabetes Care. 1995 Feb;18(2):188-92. Hypomagnesemia in Type II Diabetes: Effect of a 3-Month Replacement Therapy.
Barbagallo M, Dominguez LJ, Galioto A, Ferlisi A, Cani C, Malfa L, Pineo A, Busardo’ A, Paolisso G., Role of Magnesium in Insulin Action, Diabetes, and Cardio-Metabolic Syndrome Mol Aspects Med. 2003 Feb-Jun; 24 (1-3):39-52.
Song Y, Manson JE, Buring JE, Liu S., Dietary Magnesium Intake in Relation to Plasma Insulin Levels and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes in Women. Diabetes Care. 2004 Jan;27 (1): 59-65
Lopez-Ridura R, Willett WC, Rimm EB, Liu S, Stampfer MJ, Manson JE, Hu FB., Magnesium Intake and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes in Men and Women. Diabetes Care. 2004 Jan;27 (1) 134-40.
Heart Health
Shechter M, Sharir M, Labrador MJ, Forrester J, Silver B, Bairey Merz CN. Oral magnesium therapy improves endothelial function in patients with coronary artery disease. Circulation. 2000 Nov 7;102(19):2353-8.
Shechter M, Merz CN, Rude RK, Paul Labrador MJ, Meisel SR, Shah PK, Kaul S. ,, Low intracellular magnesium levels promote platelet-dependent thrombosis in patients with coronary artery disease.Am Heart J. 2000 Aug;140(2):212-8.
Overall Benefits of Magnesium
Wang F, Van Den Eeden SK, Ackerson LM, Salk SE, Reince RH, Elin RJ., Oral Magnesium Oxide Prophylaxis of Frequent Migrainous Headache in Children: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial. Headache. 2003 Jun;43 (6): 601-10.
Seelig MS., Interrelationship of magnesium and estrogen in cardiovascular and bone disorders, eclampsia, migraine and premenstrual syndrome. J Am Coll Nutr. 1993 Aug;12(4):442-58.
Dahle LO, Berg G, Hammar M, Hurtig M, Larsson L. The effect of oral magnesium substitution on pregnancy-induced leg cramps. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1995 Jul;173(1):175-80.
Seelig MS. Increased need for magnesium with the use of combined estrogen and calcium for osteoporosis treatment. Magnes Res. 1990 Sep;3(3):197-215.