Magnesium in the blood: the norm and causes of deviations. The role of magnesium in the human body. Magnesium blood test. The rate of magnesium in the blood in women, men and children: what to do if the result is increased or decreased

One of the important actions of magnesium in the body is anti-stress. With a macronutrient deficiency in children, symptoms of social maladaptation and behavioral disorders appear. Good nutrition and prevention will help to avoid terrible consequences.

Magnesium is a macronutrient that plays an important role in the human body. It is involved in the formation of bone tissue, the transmission of neuromuscular impulses, regulates the activity of many enzymes and has an anti-stress effect. Magnesium has a great influence on the course of pregnancy. Normal values ​​of the macroelement in the blood of the expectant mother are the key to successful childbirth. Magnesium prevents an increase in the tone of the uterus and the occurrence of involuntary miscarriages and threats of abortion. Also, the macroelement contributes to the well-being of a woman during the period of bearing a child: a calm state and healthy sound sleep.

The relevance of the problem of magnesium deficiency in children

In the conditions of modern life, children are subject to frequent stress. To cope with them more easily, the body needs an adequate supply of magnesium.

In connection with irrational nutrition (insufficient intake of a macronutrient with water and food) and frequent stresses, magnesium deficiency in the body is observed. This problem is most acutely reflected in the adaptation period in children. Getting used to the new conditions of social life (kindergarten, school, institute) and age-related changes ("hormonal revolution" in adolescents) contributes to the formation of a stressful state. First of all, behavior suffers: increased irritability towards others, pugnacity, frequent conflicts, the emergence of bad habits - addiction to alcohol, cigarettes, drugs. The emotional background in children with magnesium deficiency is also unstable. This manifests itself in increased tearfulness, frequent tantrums, nightmares, attacks of melancholy and anxiety. Due to inattention and children begin to study poorly at school. All this is aggravated by conflict situations with parents and teachers. In order to prevent dangerous consequences, it is important to identify magnesium deficiency in time.

daily requirement for magnesium

Causes of magnesium deficiency in the body

• Insufficient intake of a macronutrient with food, as well as frequent eating of fast food;
• inhibition of absorption processes in the intestine (food of animal origin with a high protein content, and phosphorus prevents the absorption of magnesium);
• stress: acute or chronic;
• sedentary lifestyle (physical inactivity);
• overwork due to strenuous physical work;
• periods of muscle growth in children and active sports training in bodybuilders;
• taking hormonal drugs (glucocorticosteroids, contraceptives), diuretics (diuretics) or anticancer (cytostatics) drugs;
• and breastfeeding;
• alcohol abuse;
• prolonged exposure to high temperatures (staying in a hot climate, frequent visits to a bath or sauna, etc.);
• pathological conditions accompanied by a violation of the absorption process, metabolism, as well as hormonal imbalance (obesity, malabsorption syndrome, dysbacteriosis, etc.).

Symptoms of magnesium deficiency in children

1. Violation of general well-being: constant weakness, frequent overwork, a state of chronic fatigue and weakness, lack of a feeling of rest after sleep.
2. Damage to the appendages of the skin and teeth: severe hair loss, brittle nails, caries.
3. Violation of muscle contractility: pain and tension in the muscles during physical exertion, convulsive twitching of the eyelids (tic), contractions in the calf muscles, in the back, neck, limbs (tremor), etc.
4. Pain symptoms: frequent headaches, pain in the heart (cardioneurosis), in the abdomen (gastrointestinal cramps with diarrhea), painful menstruation in women.
5. Cardiovascular disorders: a feeling of periodic fading in the work of the heart (extrasystole), abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia), rapid heartbeat (tachycardia), changes in blood pressure (hypertension or hypotension).
6. Weather sensitivity and violation of thermoregulation: body aches, pain in the bones and joints when the weather changes, low body temperature, cold and wet hands and feet.
7. Changes in the blood: anemia (increased breakdown of red blood cells and a decrease in hemoglobin), blood clots (increase in platelets), growth in indicators.
8. Neurological symptoms:

• mood changes - irritability, anxiety, tearfulness, the appearance of fears (phobias - fear of the dark, heights, confined spaces, loneliness, etc.), attacks of melancholy, depression, emotional lability and hyperexcitability;
• sleep disturbance - insomnia, nightmares with heavy sweat, difficulty falling asleep;
• weakening of memory and attention - deterioration in school performance, reduced ability to concentrate when performing tasks, useless expenditure of energy on many things, unwillingness to achieve the desired result.
• violation of skin sensitivity - periodic tingling and numbness in the limbs (paresthesia);
• vestibular and auditory disorders - sudden dizziness, loss of balance in space, flies before the eyes, hyperacusis - intolerance to sounds of a certain intensity and frequency (light sleep in infants, headaches and irritability with sharp sounds at an older age).

Foods High in Magnesium

Magnesium is a chemical element that cannot be synthesized in the human body. It can be obtained from outside: with food, water or medicines. The largest amount of magnesium is found in hard water, which is also rich in the macronutrient, so people who drink it as a drink are less likely to suffer from cardiovascular diseases. During the industrial processing of products (canning, obtaining flour from grain), as well as thermal exposure (pasteurization), up to 30–80% of magnesium is lost.

Product List

1. The leading place in terms of magnesium content per 100 g of the product is occupied. These are the hard shells of cereals obtained during the production of flour. Most of the macronutrient is in rice bran (781 mg), less in wheat (448 mg) and oat (235 mg). Various types of cereals and legumes are also rich in magnesium.

1. The second position is nuts and seeds.

1. Vegetables and various types of greens take an honorable third place in the ranking of foods rich in magnesium. The macroelement is part of chlorophyll - a plant pigment. That is why greens contain more magnesium than vegetables.

1. Fresh and dried fruits come in fourth place.

1. The content of magnesium in the body can be increased by eating and. They are in fifth place.

1. Dairy and sour-milk products contain magnesium in small amounts. Cheeses are rich in macronutrients. Most magnesium is found in soybean curd (tofu cheese) - 103 mg. In other varieties of cheese, the content of the macronutrient is lower (Edam - 60 mg, Dutch - 55 mg, Russian - 35 mg).

Therefore, in order for the body not to suffer from a macronutrient deficiency, it is necessary to eat from grains and legumes, nuts and seeds, and also enrich your diet with greens. Bran is suitable to improve the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract and cleanse toxins. They will not only enrich the body with magnesium, but also improve the functioning of the digestive system and increase the immune response in case.

Magnesium preparations

"Magne B6"- a magnesium preparation used for macronutrient deficiency in the body. Available in the form of tablets and ampoule solution for oral administration. The chemical composition of drugs is different. One tablet contains 48 mg of magnesium and 5 mg of pyridoxine (), in one ampoule of the solution - 100 mg of magnesium and 10 mg of pyridoxine. There is also an enhanced form of the drug - "forte". The concentration of compounds is the same as in ampoules, but is already available in the form of tablets.

Vitamin B6, which is part of the drug, promotes better absorption of magnesium in the gastrointestinal tract and regulation of metabolic processes in the nervous system.

"Magne B6" in the form of tablets should not be given to children under 6 years old, in the form of a solution - up to 1 year. Some pathological conditions are a contraindication to taking the drug. Among them are hereditary diseases (phenylketonuria, malabsorption of glucose or galactose, deficiency of the enzyme sucrase), as well as severe renal failure.

Tablets should be taken with meals, 2-3 times a day with a glass of water. Children from 6 years of age (body weight over 20 kg) are prescribed 4-6 tablets per day (or 2-3 forte tablets). From 12 years old and adults, the dose of the drug is increased to 6-8 tablets per day (or 3-4 tablets "forte"). Ampoules are dissolved in ½ glass of water and taken during meals. Children older than a year (body weight over 10 kg) need 1-4 ampoules per day, depending on the age category and the severity of magnesium deficiency. Adults - 3-4 ampoules per day. The course of taking the drug is 1 month.

Side effects of the drug include allergies and irritation of the gastrointestinal tract (crampy abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, bloating and constipation).

During pregnancy and lactation, it is possible to use the drug as prescribed by a doctor.

A drug "Magnelis B6" is an analogue of "Magne B6", intended for children from 6 years old. Other magnesium-containing drugs ("Panangin", "Asparkam", "Magnerot", etc.) are used by adults for cardiovascular pathology.

An important role in the prevention and treatment of magnesium deficiency is played by multivitamin complexes and dietary supplements (Berocca Calcium and Magnesium, Marine Calcium for Children with Magnesium, Vitrum Junior, Centrum for Children, Pikovit, Biomagnesium, etc. d.).

Conclusion

Thus, magnesium deficiency negatively affects the health of the child. Due to chronic fatigue syndrome, inattention and difficulty in remembering educational material, school performance suffers. Bad behavior associated with increased irritability, hyperexcitability and hysteria provokes conflicts with parents and teachers. Also, a macronutrient deficiency negatively affects physical training and sports. Sleep problems, lethargy, weakness and muscle pain do not make it possible to temper the body and improve health.

In adolescence, girls suffer from excruciating pain during menstruation and debilitating premenstrual syndrome (headache, abdominal and lower back pain, bouts of depression and mood swings). Young men, getting into a bad company, become easily prone to harmful addictions (alcohol, drugs, cigarettes).

But all this can be avoided if you eat right and varied. It is important to consider that in the spring, during infectious epidemics, as well as during severe physical and mental stress, the body lacks many vitamins and minerals. To avoid an acute deficiency of chemical elements, it is necessary to drink complex multivitamin preparations for preventive purposes.

About the role of magnesium in the human body and the products in which it is contained, the program "About the most important thing" tells:

Human health in some cases depends on the amount of magnesium in the blood, whether there are any deviations. It is one of the minerals present in the body and affecting the activity of the nervous and muscular systems.

Role and functions of magnesium

Not every person knows what it is - magnesium, what is its significance for the body. It is present in muscles, bones, endocrine glands, blood.

This is an important element necessary for the normal functioning of many systems. It relieves neuromuscular tension, is involved in protein synthesis, the absorption of vitamins, especially B6, for which the presence of this mineral is necessary.

Its main functions:

• relaxation of the heart muscle and prevention of an attack;
• reduced risk of strokes;
• normalization of sleep;
• optimization of the activity of the gastrointestinal tract due to the normal contraction and relaxation of muscles;
• preventing the accumulation of excess fluid in the tissues.

In addition, its imbalance can provoke the development of connective tissue diseases, oncological processes.

The normal content of the trace element has a positive effect on the bearing of pregnancy, preventing its spontaneous termination, as well as premature birth.

Determination of magnesium level

In the blood test, the designation of the mineral in Latin letters (Mg) or simply the Russian word "magnesium" is accepted, the unit of measurement is mmol / l.

To determine its concentration, a biochemical blood test is prescribed. The fence is made from a vein in the morning, on an empty stomach.

To obtain reliable results, it is recommended to prepare for the analysis:

• last meal - at least 8 hours before;
• for a day to exclude sports, heavy physical exertion;
• do not smoke at least 1-2 hours before, but preferably 24 hours before.

It should be 3-5 days before you donate blood, stop drinking alcohol, medicines based on magnesium and calcium, as this can distort the results.

Norm in the body

For the full-fledged activity of all systems and organs, a certain amount of various vitamins, minerals, trace elements in the body is necessary. Magnesium occupies an important place among them.

Norm for adults

The daily norm is 300-500 mg, but it depends on the age, physical activity of a person and other individual characteristics. The need for a mineral in men is 400-520 mg, in women - 300-400 mg per day.

The norm of magnesium in the blood of an adult is:

The concentration of the mineral in the blood in men and women is almost the same. But in the latter, during the period of bearing a baby, its level rises.

Norm during pregnancy

Magnesium plays an important role in the body of women during pregnancy, being a necessary element in the transfer of genetic data from mother to child. It is necessary to maintain the activity of cells, the nervous system, and the formation of fetal tissues.

With its normal amount, the risk of increasing the tone of the uterus, premature termination of pregnancy is reduced.

In expectant mothers, the average daily requirement for it increases from 300 mg to 450-500 mg. The rate of content in the blood rises to 0.8-1 mmol / l.

Norm for children

The concentration of magnesium in the blood of a child changes somewhat with age and is:

The daily requirement for children under the age of 1 year - 50 mg, 1 year - 6 years - 80-120 mg, 6-12 years - 170-270 mg. In adolescents after 12 years, the norm increases to 400 mg, which is caused by age-related and hormonal changes.

Symptoms of low and high amounts

Long-term deficiency of the mineral leads to pathological changes in the body - hypomagnesemia. Most often, magnesium deficiency is observed in children, pregnant women and people engaged in heavy physical labor, as well as athletes.

Any imbalance of trace elements in the body causes a malfunction in its work. The increased content of magnesium in the blood, as well as its low level, negatively affects a person. An excess of the mineral - hypermagnesemia - occurs if the concentration of Mg in the blood is more than 2 mmol / l.

Symptoms indicating an oversupply or deficiency are almost the same:

• increased heart rate, changes in blood pressure;
• the appearance of black dots before the eyes, dizziness, frequent migraine;
• muscle cramps and spasms;
• pain in the heart, stomach, abdomen;
• deterioration of nails, teeth, hair loss.

A low level of the mineral in the body is indicated by frequent irritability, weakness, constant feeling of fatigue, sleep disturbance, memory impairment, and attention.

If there is increased magnesium in the blood, blood pressure decreases, the pulse and heart contractions slow down, loss of consciousness is possible.

Symptoms indicating a lack of magnesium or its excess in the blood in children are the same as in adults. Parents should be concerned if:

• the child began to study worse, there were problems with remembering the studied material, he hardly manages to do his homework;
• behavior has changed dramatically, for example, the child has become whiny, irritable, often quarrels with friends, is rude to parents, refuses favorite activities, shows apathy, he has a sudden change of mood;
• the child does not fall asleep well, sleeps restlessly, he often has nightmares.

Often, adults attribute such manifestations to a “transitional period” or lack of education, not realizing health problems.

At a high concentration of the mineral, the manifestations are the same as when the norm in children is not reached.

Reasons for low and high content

In a healthy person, a blood test for magnesium rarely shows its low content. But this can happen with prolonged or uncontrolled use of diuretics, folic acid, oral contraceptives, with the abuse of coffee and alcoholic beverages.

The main causes of deficiency in children and adults are:

1. Unbalanced diet: the predominance of fast food, fatty, sweet, salty foods in the diet. Such food contains practically no magnesium, and a high content of fat and protein reduces its absorption by almost 45%. Frequent consumption of sugary carbonated drinks, energy drinks helps to remove the mineral from the body.
2. The use of dietary supplements without the consent of the doctor. For example, iron and calcium interfere with the absorption of magnesium, so some trace elements should be taken simultaneously with it.
3. The presence of diseases of the stomach, liver, kidneys reduces the absorption or contributes to the excessive withdrawal of minerals, reducing the amount of magnesium.
4. Increased physical activity, intense sports training cause an acceleration of metabolism, therefore, require additional trace elements for tissues and cells. An unfavorable effect on concentration is exerted by work in a hot or cold workshop, frequent visits to a bathhouse, a solarium (due to the influence of a temperature difference).

Magnesium is often low in the blood in the elderly due to the natural aging process, in pregnant women due to the increased consumption of this element.

The main reasons for excess:

• diabetes;
• thyroid disease;
• hormonal imbalance;
• kidney disease;
• bone oncology.

Uncontrolled intake of laxatives due to the high content of this element in them can increase the level of Mg in the body.

The Importance of Normalizing Magnesium Levels and the Consequences of an Imbalance

This element is necessary in the formation of muscle and bone tissue, energy production, antibodies and glucose uptake. The mineral prevents the formation of blood clots, thins it, strengthens the walls of blood vessels.

With its lack in the body, symptoms of chronic fatigue occur:

• malaise, apathy;
• emotional instability, anxiety, irritability, tearfulness;
• headache, sleep disturbance.

Deficiency disrupts the blood supply, thickens the blood, which causes a malfunction in the activity of the heart muscle.

The deficiency is especially dangerous in women during pregnancy, as it provokes:

• placental abruption;
• toxicosis and gestosis;
• polyhydramnios;
• fetal growth retardation.

Mineral deficiency has a negative impact on women during menopause, when the body, making up for the deficiency, takes it from the bone and muscle tissue.

In children with a low level of magnesium, the emotional background is disturbed, calcium is absorbed worse, which negatively affects bone formation.

An excess of the element causes the development of diabetes mellitus, paralysis of the muscles or respiratory tract, and in expectant mothers provokes spontaneous abortion.

Prevention to maintain normal levels

It is impossible to independently determine magnesium in the body. But if the tests showed an imbalance, then first of all it is necessary to reconsider the diet. With a mineral deficiency, it is useful to diversify the menu by including:

• green vegetables and herbs - celery, parsley, dill, lettuce;
• nuts (cashews, almonds, hazelnuts), sesame seeds, bran or products containing them;
• fermented milk products, hard cheeses;
• seafood, fish;
• dried fruits.

Also, after consultation with a specialist, it is allowed to take dietary supplements that make up for the lack of an element.

An excess is observed infrequently, excesses in healthy people are excreted in the urine. But this is possible with a violation of the activity of the kidneys, the introduction of intravenous drugs with a high content of magnesium.

In order to lower the level of the mineral, you should exclude foods with a high content of it. Intramuscular injections of calcium are also prescribed, which helps to reduce its concentration. Diuretics can also help, provided that the kidneys are healthy.

For the normal functioning of the body, each person should pay attention to the appearance of unusual symptoms, contact the clinic in a timely manner for tests and not self-medicate.

May include muscle cramps, spasms, facial tics, poor sleep, chronic pain, heart problems, and more. Therefore, it is necessary to ensure that you get enough of it before signs of deficiency appear.

But how do you know if you're getting enough magnesium?
According to the research, most likely you won't get it.
Even in the USA less than 30% adults consume the recommended daily allowance of magnesium. And on average in developed countries, more than 70-80% of people do not get enough of it to stay healthy.

How much magnesium do I need per day?

The amount you need depends on age and gender. The average daily recommended amounts are given below in milligrams (mg):

How do I know how much magnesium I'm taking?

One common assessment method is a biochemical blood test. However, these tests can be misleading, as only 1% of magnesium in the body is found in the blood, and only 3.3% is found in the blood serum, where it comes from the bones in the event of a shortage. Therefore, clinical testing of blood serum cannot successfully recognize magnesium deficiency.

What to do?

Luckily, you can predict your predisposition to deficiency by asking yourself a few lifestyle questions and watching for certain signs and symptoms of low magnesium levels.

If you answer yes to any of the following questions, you are at risk of magnesium deficiency.

1. Do you regularly drink sugary sodas?
Most lemonades and colas contain phosphates. These substances make magnesium unavailable to the body by reacting with it. Therefore, even if you have a balanced diet, then eating cola with your food will wash out useful magnesium from the body.

The average consumption of carbonated drinks today is more than ten times what it was a few decades ago. This explains the decrease in the content of magnesium and calcium in the body.

2. Do you regularly eat pastries, cakes, desserts, candies or other sweets?
Refined sugar causes the body to excrete magnesium through the kidneys. The process of producing refined sugar from sugar cane completely removes this metal from it.

Sugar doesn't just lower magnesium levels. Sweet foods are known to nutritionists as "anti-nutrients". Anti-nutrients such as sweets are foods that actually consume nutrients when they are digested, resulting in a worse condition. Since all foods require vitamins and minerals in order to stimulate the digestion process, it is important to eat something that will "bring back" vital nutrients and then add them.

The more sweets and processed baked goods you have in your diet, the more likely you are to be deficient in magnesium and other vital nutrients.

3. Do you have a lot of stress in your life, or have you recently undergone complex medical procedures, surgeries?
Both physical and emotional stress can be the cause of nutritional deficiencies. And a lack of magnesium increases the stress response, worsening the problem. The hormones associated with stress and anxiety, adrenaline and cortisol, lead to a decrease in magnesium.

Because stressful circumstances increase the body's use of magnesium, conditions such as stress, surgery, burns, and chronic illness can lead to deficiency.

4. Do you drink coffee, tea or other caffeinated drinks daily?
Magnesium levels are controlled in the body by the kidneys, which filter and excrete excess magnesium and other minerals. But caffeine causes the kidneys to excrete additional caffeine, regardless of the amount in the body.

If you regularly drink caffeinated beverages such as coffee, tea, and cola, then the risk of deficiency increases.

5. Are you taking diuretics, heart medications, asthma medications, birth control pills, or estrogen replacement therapy?

Exposure to certain drugs has been shown to decrease magnesium levels in the body by increasing losses through excretion by the kidneys.

6. Do you drink alcoholic beverages?

The effect of alcohol is similar to the effect of diuretics: it reduces the availability of magnesium to cells, increasing its excretion by the kidneys.
Increasing alcohol consumption also contributes to poor digestion efficiency and vitamin D deficiency, which leads to low Mg levels.

7. Do you take calcium supplements without magnesium, or in a ratio less than 1:1?

Studies have shown that when magnesium intake is low, calcium supplementation can decrease magnesium absorption and retention. Supplementing with calcium can negatively impact calcium levels, while supplementing with magnesium actually improves calcium absorption.

While it has long been thought that it is good to take these two elements in a 2:1 ratio, this ratio is largely arbitrary. The ideal proportion for an individual will vary depending on circumstances and the presence of deficiency factors.

Some modern researchers support the idea of ​​a 1:1 ratio to improve bone health and reduce the risk of disease. This is due to increasing evidence of widespread deficiency of this substance, as well as the risk of arterial calcification when calcium intake greatly exceeds magnesium.

According to renowned magnesium researcher Mildred Seelig:

The body tends to retain calcium when there is a lack of magnesium. Supplemental calcium intake at this time can cause an abnormal increase in calcium levels in cells, including heart cells and blood vessels... Given the delicate balance between calcium and magnesium in cells, it's best to make sure you're getting enough magnesium if you're taking calcium supplements.

8. Are you experiencing one of the following conditions?
Anxiety, Hyperactivity, Sleep problems, Insomnia

The above symptoms may be neurological signs of magnesium deficiency. This element is also required for the conduction of nerve tissues and is also associated with electrolyte imbalances that affect the nervous system.

Low magnesium also leads to behavioral changes and sometimes depression.

9. You are experiencing one of the following conditions:
Painful muscle spasms? Muscle cramps? Fibromyalgia? Facial tics? Eye twitches or involuntary eye movements?

These neuromuscular symptoms are classic signs of a potential magnesium deficiency.
Without it, our muscles would be in a constant state of contraction, it is essential for muscle relaxation. Calcium, on the contrary, signals the muscles to contract. As noted in The Magnesium Factor, two minerals are "two sides of a physiological coin." They have actions that oppose each other, but they act as a team."

10. Did you answer “yes” to any of the above questions and are you 55 years of age or older?
Adults are most vulnerable to magnesium deficiency. Aging, stress, and illness have been shown to increase the need for magnesium, but most older people actually consume less magnesium from food than when they were younger.

Also, nutrient absorption may be less efficient as we get older. Changes in the intestines and kidneys cause them to absorb and store less magnesium.

If you are over 55 and have symptoms associated with low magnesium, it is especially important to pay attention to this. When magnesium supplies run out, the risk of overt hypomagnesemia (deficiency) increases significantly.

How to know for sure if there is a lack of magnesium in the body?

The influence of magnesium is so great that the symptoms of its lack are reflected in all body systems. And its absence is difficult to diagnose with absolute accuracy, even for cutting-edge researchers. Drs. Pilar Aranda and Elena Planells noted this difficulty in their presentation at the 2007 International Magnesium Symposium:

The clinical manifestations of magnesium deficiency are difficult to determine, since the depletion of this cation is associated with significant deviations in the metabolism of many elements and enzymes. Prolonged inadequate magnesium intake may be the cause of symptoms associated with other conditions.”

But while identifying a deficiency may be obscure, its significance is undeniable.

Magnesium is involved in over 300 enzymatic reactions in the body. It is critical for nerve impulse transmission, muscle contraction, blood clotting, energy production, nutrient metabolism, and bone and cell formation.

Given these varied and all-encompassing effects, not to mention the cascading effects of Mg levels on other important minerals such as calcium and potassium, one thing is clear: prolonged magnesium deficiency is something to avoid.

What can you do to increase your magnesium intake?

The longer your magnesium stays low, the more likely it is to become depleted, causing you to experience the more worrisome side effects of a long-term deficiency. According to Dr. Carolyn Dean, an expert in magnesium therapy, adequate magnesium can improve heart health, prevent stroke and obesity, improve mood and memory.

If you answered “no” to all of the above questions, then you can rely on foods high in magnesium.

However, for many people, especially those with low magnesium related conditions and symptoms, magnesium supplementation can be an important part of a return to good health.

Dr. Dean, in his book The Magnesium Miracle, notes that it is difficult to achieve sufficient levels through food alone:

"I'm convinced that to get enough magnesium today, you need to take supplements."

Transdermal, skin-derived magnesium does not have the side effects of oral supplements.

One of the most effective ways to improve levels of this mineral is to combine a healthy diet with transdermal magnesium.
Many of the factors that contribute to depletion are caused by poor digestion. By delivering magnesium through the skin directly into the cells, magnesium products prevent many of the problems associated with low absorption.

In the elderly, a decrease in the quality of gastric juice in the digestive system may be a factor in the reduced availability of minerals. Hydrochloric acid supplements can be combined with magnesium to combat this problem. However, an easier and less expensive option is to use magnesium chloride supplements. Such chloride has been shown to be highly bioavailable while providing the chloride needed for healthy digestion and absorption of vitamins and minerals.

Magnesium researcher Mildred Selig called it "the silent guardian of our hearts and arteries" and "essential to life." And Dr. Carolyn Dean calls it "the missing link in overall health."

If you haven't heard much about magnesium and its importance to good health, now is the time to get to know it. And if that's something you've always wanted to learn, it's time to take action!

It is a vital element that is found in all tissues of the body and is necessary for the normal functioning of cells. Magnesium (along with calcium, sodium and potassium) is a macronutrient, and, unlike micronutrients, is needed by the body in large quantities. The body of an adult contains about 25 g of magnesium. More than 60% of all magnesium in the body is in the skeleton, about 27% is in the muscles, 6-7% is contained in other cells, and less than 1% is found outside the cells.
Magnesium is involved in most metabolic reactions, in the regulation of the transmission of nerve impulses and in muscle contraction, has an antispasmodic and antiplatelet effect.

Functions of magnesium in the body

Magnesium is involved in more than 300 important metabolic reactions in the human body.
Magnesium is a cofactor in many enzymatic reactions. Its presence is very important for the metabolism of carbohydrates and fats in the production of energy, magnesium is necessary at all stages of the synthesis of proteins, enzymes and antioxidants (for example, glutathione), to create nucleic acids (DNA and RNA), to regulate production. Magnesium also helps regulate, maintain a steady heart rhythm, promote normal blood pressure, and maintain a healthy system.

Magnesium is necessary for the conversion of creatine phosphate into ATP - a nucleotide that is a universal energy supplier in living cells of the body. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) exists mainly as a complex with magnesium (Mg-ATP).
Magnesium maintains bone mineral density.

Magnesium is essential for the active transport of potassium and calcium ions across cell membranes. Through its role in the ion transport system, magnesium influences the conduction of nerve impulses, muscle contractions, and normal heart rhythm.

There is an increased interest in the role of magnesium in the prevention and treatment of diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and osteoporosis.

The need for magnesium in the body

Magnesium is part of the salt balance of living organisms: a lack of magnesium impairs the absorption of other trace elements, an excess contributes to their leaching (replacement).
Daily intake of magnesium:
Children from 0 to 6 years - 30 mg / day
Adolescents 7 to 12 years old - 75 mg/day
Men - 400-420 mg / day
Women -310-360 mg/day
Women during pregnancy -350-400 mg / day

magnesium deficiency

Magnesium deficiency is rare, usually the diet contains a sufficient amount of it.
The state of health of the digestive system and kidneys has a significant impact on the content of magnesium in the body. Magnesium is absorbed in the intestines and then transported through the blood to cells and tissues. The absorption of dietary magnesium from 30% to 50% ( Ladefoged K, Hessov I, S. Jarnum). Some gastrointestinal disorders (such as Crohn's disease) impair absorption and limit the body's ability to absorb magnesium. These disorders can deplete the body's magnesium stores and, in extreme cases, lead to magnesium deficiency in the body. Chronic or excessive vomiting and can also lead to magnesium depletion (Rude RK. ).
Healthy kidneys can limit the excretion (excretion) of magnesium in the urine to compensate for low magnesium intake. However, excessive loss of magnesium in the urine can be a side effect of certain medications or occur with poorly controlled diabetes and.
With sweating, frequent use of laxatives and alcohol, great mental and physical stress (primarily with and among athletes), the need for magnesium increases.
The elderly are at risk for magnesium deficiency. Surveys (1999-2000 and 1988-94) show that the diet of older people contains less magnesium than young adults and adults (Ford ES and Mokdad AH ). In addition, in the elderly, magnesium absorption decreases and renal magnesium excretion increases (Institute of Medicine, National Academy Press). Also, older people are more likely to take drugs that interact with magnesium.

magnesium deficiency can manifest itself in different ways: insomnia, chronic fatigue, osteoporosis, arthritis, fibromyalgia, muscle cramps and spasms, cardiac arrhythmia, premenstrual syndrome (PMS).
Early signs of magnesium deficiency are loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, fatigue and weakness.
Characteristic signs that can occur with magnesium deficiency: numbness, tingling, muscle contractions and convulsions, seizures, epileptic attacks, heart rhythm disturbances, spasm of the coronary vessels.
Magnesium deficiency in severe cases can lead to low blood calcium levels ( hypocalcemia). Magnesium deficiency is also associated with low blood potassium levels ( hypokalemia).

Sources of magnesium

Green vegetables (for example,) are a good source of magnesium, this is due to the fact that the center of the chlorophyll molecule (the pigment that turns vegetables green) contains magnesium. Some legumes (beans, peas), nuts and seeds, and whole, unpeeled grains are also good sources of magnesium.

Rice. chlorophyll molecule

There is very little magnesium in white bread, dairy, meat and other everyday food products of modern man.
Tap water can be a source of magnesium, and the amount varies depending on the chemistry of the water. Water that contains a large amount of minerals is called "hard" and contains more magnesium than "soft" (boiled or distilled) water.

Recent studies have found that magnesium citrate ( Magnesium citrate) is the most absorbable magnesium supplement.
One of the most biologically appropriate sources of magnesium for transcutaneous (percutaneous) absorption is the mineral bischofite, which is widely used for medical rehabilitation, physiotherapy and spa treatment. The advantage of transcutaneous use is the high bioavailability of magnesium ions, which saturates local problem areas bypassing the excretory system.

The interaction of magnesium with drugs

Thiazide diuretics (eg, lasix, Bumex, Edecrin, hydrochlorothiazide), anticancer drugs (eg, cisplatin), antibiotics (eg, gentamicin and amphotericin). These drugs can lead to increased urinary magnesium loss. Thus, long-term use of these drugs can contribute to the depletion of magnesium in the body.
Tetracycline antibiotics. Magnesium binds tetracycline in the intestine and reduces the absorption of tetracycline.
Magnesium-containing antacids and laxatives. Many antacids and laxatives contain magnesium. Taking large doses of these drugs can lead to hypermagnesemia (high levels of magnesium in the blood).

The use of magnesium in medicine

Magnesium oxide and salts are traditionally used in medicine in cardiology, neurology and gastroenterology (asparcam, magnesium sulfate, magnesium citrate. The most interesting natural resource of magnesium is the mineral bischofite). It turned out that the magnesium effects of bischofite are primarily manifested when applied transcutaneously (through the skin) in the treatment of pathologies of the musculoskeletal system. Bischophytotherapy uses the biological effects of natural magnesium in the treatment and rehabilitation of a wide range of diseases, primarily the spine and joints, the consequences of injuries, the nervous and cardiovascular systems.

In the human body, processes invisible to the eye are constantly taking place, in which dozens of vital micro- and macroelements participate and interact with each other. One such macronutrient is magnesium, which gets its name from the Latin word for “great.” Its deficiency can seriously impair the vital functions of the organism. Why is it so important for a person, and how to ensure an adequate supply of magnesium - this article will tell about this.

The role of magnesium in the human body

What is magnesium for? Figuratively, it can be compared with a small battery that provides energy for the functioning of organs and various complex metamorphoses occurring in the body. This element is present in all human tissues, is actively involved in the metabolism of substances, the transmission of nerve impulses and muscle contraction.

Without magnesium, the normal functioning of not a single, even the smallest cell in the body is impossible!

Salt balance in humans and animals is largely provided by magnesium. This means that with its shortage, normal absorption of all other microelements is impossible, and with an excess, they are washed out of the body. Also, without a “great” element, normal protein synthesis does not occur.

But magnesium plays the most important role for the heart. Leading cardiologists of the world are sure that almost all patients with heart complaints should take magnesium supplements, and then cardiac performance will certainly improve. Fluctuations in blood pressure, tachycardia, arrhythmia and other cardiovascular disorders are often caused precisely by the deficiency of this macronutrient.

Magnesium works together with potassium to promote healthy heart function and prevent the risk of developing severe heart disease. At the same time, it is magnesium that contributes to a sufficient level of potassium in the body. You can find out more about magnesium and potassium for the heart by clicking on.

Among other things, lack of magnesium leads to muscle disorders, problems in the gastrointestinal tract, as well as various neurological disorders. It is vital for people suffering from osteoporosis, diabetes, kidney disease, insomnia and stress. And for pregnant women, magnesium is just a salvation from severe complications that arise during the bearing of a baby. Especially pre-eclampsia, which threatens the life of both mother and child.

Normally, the human body contains 20 to 30 g of magnesium. 40% of this amount is in bone tissue, 59% in soft tissue and 1% is found in body fluids.

Sources of magnesium

There are many sources of magnesium in nature. This is sea water, and various products, both animal and vegetable, and the earth's crust, and even ordinary stone cobblestones!

Interesting fact: A kilogram of stone, which is usually laid out on the road, contains about 20 grams. magnesium. It could even be extracted if desired, if it were not too expensive and time-consuming process.

Regarding food products, it should be noted that their modern processing significantly reduces the magnesium content, because even ordinary soaking in water contributes to the loss of a precious substance. In addition, more at the growing stage, due to the use of various chemical fertilizers, plants absorb the necessary elements very poorly, including magnesium.

Speaking of nuts, did you know that they are an extremely healthy food. In any form, they contain not only magnesium, but also phosphorus, calcium, iron, as well as vitamins A, E and, and the condition of the skin, hair and nails depends on the latter. Therefore, every day, be sure to eat a handful of nuts.

Daily intake of magnesium

The daily intake of magnesium for an adult is 300 mg per day for women and 400 mg- men. However, depending on various circumstances, these figures may vary. For example, the norm of magnesium during pregnancy is 360 mg per day for breastfeeding women 320 mg and for teenage children 400 mg.

It should be borne in mind that with various diseases accompanied by losses of magnesium from the body (diabetes, alcoholism, renal failure, stress, etc.), the need for this substance may increase. In such cases, the rate of magnesium per day for the patient is determined by the doctor.

The norm of magnesium in the blood

However, do not confuse the daily rate with the rate of content in the blood. The content of magnesium in the blood is measured in moles per liter, while the norm for an ordinary person is - 0.65-1.05 mmol / l. The level of magnesium in the blood is detected by laboratory analysis, which is necessary in the diagnosis of various neurological abnormalities, insufficiency of the adrenal glands and kidneys, pathologies of the heart and the functioning of the thyroid gland.

Magnesium deficiency can lead to serious disorders in the body, as well as to the development of various diseases. Symptoms in this case can be very different:

• Insomnia
• Constant fatigue even with good, long sleep
• Noise sensitivity, irritability
• Flickering dots before the eyes
• Dizziness and imbalance
• Change in blood pressure
• heartbeat
• Cramps and muscle spasms
• Cramps in the stomach with diarrhea
• Frequent headaches
• Brittle nails and hair loss

If you pay attention to these symptoms in time and take the necessary measures, then many health problems can be easily and quickly avoided.

What to do with a lack of magnesium?

In a normal healthy person, magnesium deficiency occurs quite rarely. However, its deficiency is very often manifested, if you take diuretics, folic acid, contraceptives or estrogens, as well as abuse coffee and alcohol. In addition, magnesium losses increase during starvation, toxicosis, and, as mentioned earlier, due to stress, kidney disease and diabetes.

If the lack of magnesium is insignificant and caused by an improper lifestyle, then it is enough to exclude negative factors, reduce physical and mental stress and, of course, enrich food with products containing the necessary macroelement. However, if the cause is in any disease, then you should definitely consult a doctor and take those magnesium preparations and in the dosage that he prescribes.

There are quite a lot of preparations containing magnesium in the pharmaceutical industry today. They may differ in the form of release and dosage. In addition, many of them are produced in combination with other elements, such as potassium or, to increase efficiency.

If drug therapy with magnesium preparations is really necessary, it is very important to choose the right medicine correctly. To do this, you must have a complete understanding of the features of the drug and the cases in which it is prescribed. You can find exhaustive information on this issue.

However, it should be noted that magnesium-containing drugs are taken not only in case of illness, but can be recommended to healthy people who are at high risk. These include residents of areas poor in magnesium, pregnant and lactating women, as well as children and adolescents who are in a period of active growth.