http://www.labtestsonline.org.uk/understanding/analytes/magnesium/test.html
The issue with supplementing minerals is that if you get too much of one, you can deplete stores of another in the body. You also have to be careful that you are getting the requisite balance of other foods in the diet to ensure you can metabolise vitamins and minerals and avoid depleting them.
For example, if you are consuming magnesium in the form of leafy vegetables or nuts/pumpkin seeds (a good source) but also have a penchant for coke, irn bru (that's an organge coloured popular Scottish fizzy drink for those south of the border!) or other carbonated drinks plus some processed foods (which contain phosphates) will deplete the body's stores of magnesium.
Another issue is the way in which the veg and fruit we buy is farmed. If there is not enough magnesium in the soil (because some farmers use potassium rich fertilisers), then we won't get enough from the farmed produce. Look out for yellowing on apples and tomatoes, for example. These are signs of magnesium deficiency.
Symptoms of magnesium deficiency are leg cramps, muscle twitches and palpitations (but stress can deplete magnesium levels).
It has to be remembered that magnesium works with calcium.
Also, some people cannot absorb minerals such as calcium because of malabsorption problems, if they have Crohn's disease, for example.
Here is some info from the "Jigsaw" webpage for chronic conditions:
"One of the leading researchers on magnesium deficiency, Dr. Mildred Seelig, found that many of the side effects of drugs are actually symptoms of magnesium deficiency. The drugs either increased the demand for magnesium in the body, or they depleted magnesium.
According to the Physician’s Desk Reference, these common drugs can create a magnesium deficiency:
Common diuretics and cardiac drugs
Birth control pills (I.e. the contraceptive Pill)
Insulin
Digitalis
Tetracycline and other antibiotics
Cortisone
In addition, many other drugs can negatively interact with magnesium. The actions of tubocurarine, barbiturates, hypnotics, and narcotics may be enhanced by magnesium, a natural muscle relaxer. But magnesium can inhibit the absorption of iron, tetracyclines, ciprofloxacin( an antibiotic), vancomycin (antibiotic), isoniazid, chlorpromazine, trimethoprim (antibiotic), nitrofurantoin (antibiotic), and sodium fluoride.6
Finally, magnesium protects the kidneys so it may help treatment with aminoglycoside antibiotics and immunosuppressant drugs like cyclosporin and cisplatin.
Regardless, make sure your body is getting the magnesium it needs. If you are taking any of these drugs, talk about magnesium with your healthcare professional."
Hope this is useful and interesting.
