Can A Magnesium Deficiency be Genetic?

Introduction

Have you ever felt tired all the time or had muscle cramps that won’t go away? These might be signs that you don’t have enough magnesium, a problem that happens more often than you think. Many people blame bad diets for this. But there’s more going on. Our food isn't as healthy as it used to be because of poor farming practices that take away nutrients from the soil. Also, your genes could make it hard for your body to get enough magnesium. 

Genetic Predisposition to Magnesium Deficiency

Scientists from Charité -- Universitätsmedizin Berlin and experts from other countries have discovered a genetic reason for low magnesium levels.

They found changes in a gene named Cnnm2. This gene acts as a guide for creating a special protein in our kidney and intestinal cells. These proteins matter because they help our bodies take in magnesium from the blood.

If there are changes or mistakes in this gene, it messes up the instructions for magnesium absorption in your body. This means the protein doesn't work right, and your body can't take in magnesium well. Most of it gets flushed out in your pee or just passes through your large intestine. It's like your body's magnesium homeostasis is out of whack. Even if you eat lots of magnesium-rich foods or try oral magnesium supplementation, a faulty gene could stop your body from using it properly. This can lead to all sorts of problems, from heart issues to problems with your central nervous system. It might even affect how your body handles calcium levels or vitamin D. Some people might need magnesium sulfate in intensive care because of this. Scientists, like Weber S. and van der Wijst J., have studied how these ion channels and magnesium transport work in our bodies. They've found that this gene problem can cause renal magnesium wasting, which means your kidneys aren't holding onto magnesium like they should. It's a big deal because magnesium plays a key role in so many body functions - it's even the most abundant intracellular cation!

Symptoms of Magnesium Deficiency

Magnesium lack can range from mild to serious, and it plays an important role in your body's health. Your body needs the right magnesium intake to work properly, but sometimes things like proton pump inhibitors or certain genetic issues can mess with your magnesium metabolism. If you have low levels of magnesium, it can affect your heart, causing problems like cardiac arrhythmias or even cardiac arrest in extreme cases. It can also mess with your renal function and blood calcium levels. Some people might even have short stature or intellectual disability because of it. Scientists like Waldegger S. and Niemann-Nejsum L. have studied how magnesium loss happens through special channels in your cells, like potassium and chloride channels. They've published their findings in fancy journals like N Engl J Med and J Am Soc Nephrol. Google Scholar has tons of info on this stuff. The tricky part is, magnesium issues can be hard to spot because it's mostly inside your cells, not floating around in your blood. So, if you're worried, it's best to chat with a doctor. They might even need to check your magnesium levels if you end up in the intensive care unit!

Here are some magnesium deficiency signs to look out for:

Early or Mild Symptoms:

• Fatigue: Feeling very tired or low in energy.

• Muscle Weakness: Less strength or ability to keep going.

• Muscle Cramps or Spasms: Especially in the legs, known as charley horses.

• Nausea and Vomiting: Upset stomach.

• Loss of Appetite: Not feeling hungry.

Moderate Symptoms:

• Tingling or Numbness: In your hands, feet, or other places.

• Tremors: Shaking or trembling in different parts of your body.

• Mood Changes: Feeling more anxious, irritable, or sad.

• Irregular Heartbeat: A feeling that your heart is skipping beats or fluttering.

• Sleep Problems: Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep.

Severe Symptoms:

• Seizures: In serious cases, this can happen because of problems with your nervous system.

• Personality Changes: You may feel very confused or have big mood swings.

• Low Calcium or Potassium Levels: Low magnesium can make other mineral levels drop.

• Heart Problems: There is a higher chance of high blood pressure, heart attack, or stroke.

Testing for Magnesium Deficiency

If you are worried about not having enough magnesium, it may help to try our Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis test. We check magnesium levels in your tissues, and this is better than blood tests. Even if you have a family history of low magnesium, taking a supplement that your body absorbs better can be useful. Our supplements use a method to skip digestion. This allows 99% of the magnesium to go into your cells.

Want to know more? Check out our Upgraded Magnesium here.

Conclusion

Magnesium deficiency isn't just about your diet; it can be in your genes too. Your body needs magnesium for many things, like keeping your heart healthy and avoiding insulin resistance. If you're always tired, have muscle cramps, or notice weird symptoms, it might be time to check your magnesium levels. Our HTMA test can show what's going on inside you, even checking for stuff like Gitelman syndrome or problems with your parathyroid hormone. Some people have genetic mutations that mess up how their bodies handle magnesium, especially in places like the distal convoluted tubule of the kidney. But don't worry! Even if your genes make it hard to absorb magnesium, our special supplements can help. They're designed to get magnesium straight to your cells, bypassing any absorption issues. These supplements might even help with things like oxidative stress. So, listen to your body, get tested if you're worried, and think about trying our Upgraded Magnesium. It could make a big difference in how you feel!