Insulin secretion and utilization requires magnesium and magnesium is required for proper cellular balance of sodium and potassium. Magnesium regulates calcium metabolism and blocks calcium entry into muscle cells. Magnesium deficiency is characterized by fatigue, irritability, insomnia, heart arrhythmias, muscle weakness and spasms, decreased appetite, depression and potassium depletion. Severe magnesium deficiency can result in seizures. Mild deficiency is common especially in the elderly and in women premenstrually.
Many diuretics can deplete magnesium as well as potassium, as can laxatives and oral contraceptives.
Alcoholism, diabetes, surgery, heart failure, diarrhea, malabsorption, severe burns and liver and kidney disease can all cause magnesiu m deficiency. A high intake of calcium decreases absorption of magnesium. Excess magnesium commonly occurs with magnesium intake in kidney failure. It results in muscle weakness, low blood pressure, respiratory depression and cardiac arrest. Back to the Index.