Magnesium deficiency, also known as hypomagnesemia, can result from various factors affecting magnesium intake, absorption, and excretion. Here's a breakdown of the primary causes:
Causes of Magnesium Deficiency
1. Inadequate Magnesium Intake
- Poor Diet: A diet lacking in magnesium-rich foods, such as green leafy vegetables, nuts, seeds, whole grains, and legumes, can contribute to deficiency.
- Malnutrition and Starvation: Conditions leading to overall nutrient deficiencies, including magnesium.
2. Impaired Magnesium Absorption
- Gastrointestinal Disorders: Conditions like Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, celiac disease, and short bowel syndrome can impair magnesium absorption in the intestines.
- Chronic Diarrhea: Frequent diarrhea reduces the time available for magnesium absorption.
- Gastric Bypass Surgery: Certain weight-loss surgeries can alter the digestive tract and reduce nutrient absorption.
- Medications: Some medications, such as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) used to treat acid reflux, can interfere with magnesium absorption.
3. Increased Magnesium Excretion
- Kidney Disorders: Certain kidney diseases can lead to increased magnesium loss in the urine.
- Diabetes (Uncontrolled): High blood sugar levels can cause excessive urination (polyuria), leading to magnesium loss. This also occurs during recovery from acute kidney injury.
- Alcohol Use: Excessive alcohol consumption can increase magnesium excretion through the kidneys.
- Certain Medications: Diuretics ("water pills") increase urine production, potentially leading to magnesium loss.
- Hypercalcemia: Elevated calcium levels in the blood can sometimes affect magnesium regulation and excretion.
4. Other Factors
- Burns: Large surface area burns can cause significant magnesium loss.
- Excessive Sweating: Profuse sweating, particularly during intense exercise or in hot environments, can deplete magnesium levels.
- Age: Older adults are more susceptible to magnesium deficiency due to decreased intestinal absorption and increased renal excretion of magnesium.
- Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: Increased magnesium demands during pregnancy and lactation can sometimes lead to deficiency if intake is not sufficient.
In summary, magnesium deficiency is a multifaceted issue resulting from a combination of dietary factors, underlying medical conditions, and medication use that disrupt the body's ability to maintain adequate magnesium levels.
