Magnesium

Magnesium is an essential mineral in the human body. It plays a key role in DNA and RNA synthesis and in the production of ATP. It is a cofactor in more than 300 enzyme systems.

Deficiency
Symptoms of magnesium deficiency include loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and weakness. As magnesium deficiency worsens, numbness, tingling, muscle contractions and cramps, seizures, personality changes, abnormal heart rhythms, and coronary spasms can occur. Severe magnesium deficiency can result in hypocalcemia or hypokalemia (low serum calcium or potassium levels, respectively) because mineral homeostasis is disrupted.

People with gastrointestinal disorders and chronic fatigue syndrome are at higher risk of magnesium deficiency.

Deficiency increases the risk of psteoporosis. Magnesium supplementation may help prevent migraine.

Forms of administration
Magnesium may be taken as an oral supplement but may not be well absorbed. Other forms of magnesium administration include transdermal magnesium and intramuscular magnesium injections.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 20 CFS patients found that CFS had lower red blood cell magnesium than healthy controls. Patients treated with intramuscular magnesium sulphate for six weeks had higher self-reported energy levels, better emotional state and less pain on the Nottingham health profile when compared to placebo.