Understanding Magnesium Deficiency: Causes, Symptoms, and Solutions

Understanding Magnesium Deficiency: Causes, Symptoms, and Solutions

Jan 20, 2024 Alex Brecher

Magnesium deficiency may not take the helm as the most prevalent mineral insufficiency in the United States, yet its impact goes beyond what is usually believed. It's estimated that nearly half of U.S adults grapple with low magnesium levels, which can trigger symptoms of deficiency and escalate health risks.

Magnesium is accessible through dietary sources and other mediums. Diverse forms of magnesium can also be obtained via supplements. For instance, a magnesium patch can be instrumental for individuals who require additional supporting nutrients or have certain health objectives to meet. PatchAid's Magnesium Patches are meticulously designed to offer different kinds of magnesium in high quantities, supplemented by other nutritional compounds.

Always consult your healthcare provider if you have health issues or are deliberating over using a nutritional supplement or patch.

Spotting Magnesium Deficiency

As a crucial mineral our bodies need for optimal health, magnesium, the fourth most abundant mineral within us, plays significant roles.

Here are some signs that you may be deficient in magnesium:

  • Frequent muscle spasms or cramps
  • Low levels of potassium and calcium in the blood
  • Retention of Sodium and bloating
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Mood fluctuations

In the long run, insufficient magnesium levels can heighten the risk of developing high blood pressure, heart diseases, poor blood sugar regulation, or migraines. It could also be a potential risk factor for Alzheimer's disease. Moreover, given that magnesium constitutes bone mineral, a protracted deficiency could cause osteoporosis resulting in increased risk for bone fractures.

Interestingly, it's possible to experience magnesium deficiency unnoticed. If you suspect this, ensure to discuss your concerns with your healthcare provider.

Causes of Magnesium Deficiency

Not all cases of magnesium deficiency are severe. In fact, severe deficiency is rare. This is because magnesium can be obtained from numerous foods, and your kidneys help to retain it when intake is scarce. Nevertheless, here are some potential causes:

  • Kidney disorders: These can cause the body to excessively release magnesium. Diabetes and certain medications may exacerbate this.
  • Gastrointestinal disorders: Conditions like Crohn’s disease, diarrhea, celiac disease, and subsequent issues related to malabsorption or depletion.
  • Endocrine and metabolic conditions such as diabetes, and parathyroid disorders.

Always consult your healthcare provider if you suspect any of these conditions, and consider discussing the relationship between your medications and your magnesium status.

Testing for Magnesium Deficiency

Unlike other vitamins and minerals, assessing your magnesium levels isn't straightforward. Blood test outcomes might not accurately reveal your actual magnesium status, and dietary assessment of intake might be imprecise.

As interesting as it may seem, there’s yet to be a definite grasp on what an “optimal” magnesium status should be.

The Role of Magnesium

Magnesium’s benefits are quite unique. Here are some:

  • It aids in supporting sound bone metabolism.
  • It contributes to maintaining standard nerve and muscle functions.
  • It promotes brain health.
  • It bolsters regular sleep cycles and mood.

However, these benefits are reliant on your individual circumstances and the causes of your magnesium deficiency.

Natural Sources of Magnesium

If you notice a magnesium deficiency, you might want to consider incorporating foods rich in magnesium into your diet. Nuts (especially Brazil nuts), leafy green vegetables, meat and fish, avocados, milk, bananas, beans, whole grains, and lentils are all good sources.

Also, incorporating sufficient amounts of nutrients like vitamin D (which aids in magnesium absorption) and protein into your diet can help prevent a magnesium deficiency.

Types of Magnesium and Magnesium Patches

Magnesium supplements are commonly sought-after solutions to address magnesium deficiencies. However, there could be side effects such as gastrointestinal issues. This is why it’s best to consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement regimen.

Magnesium patches provide an attractive alternative. PatchAid, for instance, offers several patches with magnesium as one of their components:

Vitamin D3/Calcium Vitamin Patch
Most magnesium is stored in the bones, and this patch includes 350 mg of magnesium, or 88% of the daily value. It also has calcium and vitamin D3, which is the active form of vitamin D. These nutrients support bone health, not to mention nerve function, brain health and immune function.

Sleep Aid Topical Vitamin Patch
A well-known magnesium deficiency symptom is muscle cramping, which can get in the way of sleep. Magnesium is needed for proper muscle relaxation! This patch has 300 mg of magnesium, or 75% of the daily value. It also has melatonin, which is a hormone that is part of a normal sleep-wake cycle. 5-HTP and L-tryptophan work together in the brain to allow for normal relaxation, and valerian root is a long-used herbal ingredient.

Immune Defense Plus Vitamin Patch
The immune system depends on an adequate supply of magnesium, and this patch has 100 mg of magnesium, or 25% of the daily value. It also provides essential nutrients such as zinc and vitamins C, E, and B6 to support immune health. Green tea leaf, licorice root extract, garlic extract, and antioxidants are some of the other compounds in this patch.

Vitamin D3 with K2 Vitamin Patch
This patch has 300 mg of magnesium, or 75% of the daily value. It also has calcium and vitamin D3, as well as vitamin K2. Vitamin K is needed for proper bone metabolism.

Migraine Relief Patch
You definitely don’t want to be low in magnesium if you are prone to migraines. This patch contains 250 mg of magnesium or 60% of the daily value for magnesium. In addition, it has riboflavin, folate, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, and vitamin D3. Other ingredients in this patch include coenzyme Q10, which is a well-known antioxidant, and ashwagandha extract, which has been used for centuries.

Ultimately, the choice of a PatchAid Magnesium Patch can depend on the amount of magnesium it contains, its accompanying ingredients, and how they align with your lifestyle.

Remember: The Food and Drug Administration has not evaluated some of these statements, and the Vitamin D3/Calcium Vitamin Patch by PatchAid is not a treatment or cure for any disease. Always consult a healthcare professional if you have a medical condition. Individual results may vary.

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