What is magnesium? What role does it have in human health? How is its deficiency confirmed, and which foods contain it? These are the topics we are discussing with Shorena Jintcharadze, a laboratory doctor at the Institute of Clinical Oncology.

- What is magnesium?                                                  

Magnesium belongs to the group of microelements and is a very important mineral in the human body. It is obtained from food. Most magnesium is localized in the bones; the rest is in soft tissues, erythrocytes, muscles, and the liver, and it is part of enzymes.

Magnezium regulates heartbeat, helps widen blood vessels, improves blood circulation, is necessary for transmitting impulses between nerve and muscle cells, participates in bone formation, activates vitamin D, has anti-inflammatory properties, regulates sugar levels in the body, participates in protein synthesis, regulates lipid metabolism, and prevents platelet aggregation.

Magnesium deficiency in the body is most often caused by alcohol addiction, nutritional disorders, malabsorption, chronic diarrhea, excessive sweating, heart failure, and kidney diseases.

Signs of magnesium deficiency include fatigue, weakness, and irregular heartbeat. One of the common symptoms of magnesium deficiency is cramps, paresthesia, i.e, a loss of sensation, which is manifested in numbness, heart rhythm disturbances, forgetfulness, difficulty concentrating, fatigue, and headaches.

Risk groups of magnesium deficiency include: people with diabetes, as increased blood sugar causes increased excretion of magnesium in the urine; People with cardiovascular disease; Active athletes, as muscles consume more magnesium during exercise; Teenagers, pregnant women, and people under stress. 

Together with Na+, K+, and Ca2+ ions, magnesium participates in neuromuscular excitability and the blood coagulation mechanism. The actions of calcium and magnesium are closely related to each other; the deficiency of one of the two elements significantly affects the metabolism of the other element (magnesium is necessary for both the absorption of calcium in the intestine and its metabolism).

- Is it possible to have excessive magnesium in the body?

It is almost impossible to exceed the dietary magnesium level.

Excess often occurs if magnesium is consumed together with calcium and phosphorus.

- Which food contains magnesium?

Magnesium is found in many foods. The most abundant sources include nuts (cashews, walnuts, almonds, peanuts, hazelnuts), whole grains (buckwheat, barley), and legumes (peas, beans, mustard); however, dairy products are relatively less abundant.

- How is magnesium deficiency confirmed?

Magnesium deficiency is confirmed by laboratory testing.

In the presence of magnesium deficiency signs, it is recommended to determine calcium and potassium levels as well.

- What should a patient consider before taking the test?  

No special preparation is required for the magnesium test. It is recommended to limit alcohol consumption, smoking, and strenuous physical activity for at least 12 hours before the test.