Sun Dec 10 2023

Magnesium's Role in the Body:

• Magnesium serves as a co-factor in at least 300 enzymatic systems, essential for the movement of potassium and calcium across membranes.
• It plays a crucial role in bone health, nerve transmission, and glucose control within the body.

Harms of Magnesium Deficiency:

• Inadequate magnesium levels can lead to issues with bone health by impacting osteoblasts and osteoclasts regulation, potentially causing osteopenia and osteoporosis.
• Magnesium deficiency may negatively affect insulin sensitivity and fasting glucose levels, influencing glucose control and insulin metabolism.

Determining Magnesium Deficiency:

• Plasma levels of magnesium are not reliable indicators of total body magnesium; urinary tests are more accurate for assessing magnesium deficiency.
• Symptoms such as low bone density, preventricular contractions, cramps, or migraines may suggest potential magnesium deficiency.

Potential Cognitive Benefits of Magnesium:

• Intravenous magnesium has shown short-term relief for acute migraines while oral magnesium treatments may reduce the frequency and severity of migraine attacks over time.
• Magnesium acts as an antagonist of the NMDA receptor and a GABA agonist, impacting nerve transduction. Its deficiency could contribute to mood disorders and neurological conditions.

Testing for Magnesium Levels:

• Common tests for determining magnesium deficiency include measuring plasma levels, conducting urinary tests to assess excretion levels, or administering IV bolus tests to evaluate urinary excretion post-load.