Diet - magnesium

Side effects from increased magnesium intake are not common because the body removes excess amounts. Magnesium excess almost always occurs only when magnesium is supplemented as a medication.

Lack of magnesium (deficiency) is rare. The symptoms include:

• Hyperexcitability
• Muscle weakness
• Sleepiness

Deficiency of magnesium can occur in people who abuse alcohol or in those who absorb less magnesium due to:

• Burns
• Certain medications
• Low blood levels of calcium
• Problems absorbing nutrients from the intestinal tract (malabsorption)
• Surgery

Symptoms due to a lack of magnesium have three categories.

Early symptoms:

• Anorexia
• Apathy
• Confusion
• Fatigue
• Insomnia
• Irritability
• Muscle twitching
• Poor memory
• Reduced ability to learn

Moderate deficiency symptoms:

• Heart (cardiovascular) changes
• Rapid heartbeat

Severe deficiency:

• Continued muscle contraction
• Delirium
• Numbness
• Seeing or hearing things that aren't there (hallucinations)
• Tingling

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Magnesium in diet Food Sources

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Magnesium in diet Recommendations

Review Date: 03/09/2009
Reviewed By: Linda Vorvick, MD, Family Physician, Seattle Site Coordinator, Lecturer, Pathophysiology, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)