Origins and Effects of Magnesium Deficiency

Reference from the joint report of FAO/WHO expert consultation on Human Vitamins and Minerals verbatim.

11. Lonnerdal, B. 1995. Magnesium nutrition of infants. Magnesium . 8: 99-105.

12. Shils, M.E. 1988. Manesium in health and disease. Annu. Revs Nutr., 8: 429-460

Pathologic effects of primary nutritional deficiency of magnesium occur infrequently in infants (11) but are even less common in adults unless a relatively low magnesium intake is accompanied by prolonged diarrhoea or excessive urinary magnesium losses (12).

 6. Waterlow, J.C. 1992. Protein Energy Malnutrition. London, Edwin Arnold.

13. Gibson, R.S. 1990. Principles of nutritional assessment. New York, Oxford University

Press.

Susceptibility to the effects of magnesium deficiency rises when demands for magnesium increase markedly with the resumption of tissue growth during rehabilitation from general malnutrition (6, 13).

 6. Waterlow, J.C. 1992. Protein Energy Malnutrition. London, Edwin Arnold.

14. Nichols, B.L., Alvarado J., Hazelwood C.F. & Viteri F. 1978. Magnesium supplement in protein-calorie malnutrition. Am. J. Clin. Nutr., 31: 176-188.

Studies have shown that a decline in urinary magnesium excretion during protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) is accompanied by a reduced intestinal absorption of magnesium. The catch-up growth associated with recovery from PEM is achieved only if magnesium supply is increased substantially (6, 14).

12. Shils, M.E. 1988. Manesium in health and disease. Annu. Revs Nutr., 8: 429-460

15. Shils, M.E. 1969. . Experimental Human magnesium depletion. Medicine, 48: 61-85.

Most of the early pathologic consequences of magnesium depletion are neurologic or neuromuscular defects (12, 15), some of which probably reflect the influence of the element on potassium flux within tissues. Thus, a decline in magnesium status produces anorexia, nausea, muscular weakness, lethargy, staggering, and, if deficiency is prolonged, weight loss. Progressively increasing with the severity and duration of depletion are manifestations of hyperirritability, hyperexcitability, muscular spasms, and tetany, leading ultimately to convulsions. An increased susceptibility to audiogenic shock is common in experimental animals. Cardiac arrhythmia and pulmonary oedema frequently have fatal consequences (12).

16. Elwood, P.C. 1994. Iron, magnesium and ischaemic heart disease. Proc. Nutr. Soc., 53: 599-603.

It has been suggested that a sub-optimal magnesium status may be a factor in the aetiology of coronary heart disease and hypertension but additional evidence is needed (16).