Don't forget about magnesium!

According to statistics, magnesium receives the least attention in laboratory diagnostics of all major trace elements. According to experts, this is due to two factors: firstly, the lack of large-scale studies in the country, which would show the real picture of the problem of magnesium deficiency in the population. Secondly, underestimation of magnesium's importance.

Every organ, especially the heart, muscles and kidneys need this essential trace element. The body contains about 25g of magnesium, 60 per cent of which is found in teeth and bones. Without magnesium, the neuromuscular apparatus cannot function (theoretically, if a person lacked this trace element, the heart would not be able to beat). No protein molecule is formed without magnesium. It regulates the levels of calcium, zinc, potassium, copper, vitamin D.

If a person does not get enough magnesium with food, it cannot be the cause of magnesium deficiency (if the reserves are depleted, magnesium is no longer excreted from the body). Deficiency truly occurs due to various diseases:

- prolonged diarrhoea - there is a "leaching" of magnesium through the intestines;

- kidney disease, in which the excretion of all trace elements increases;

- an increase in calcium levels, which is a physiological "opponent" of magnesium. The more calcium in the body, the less magnesium, and, accordingly, vice versa;

- taking medications that promote the excretion of magnesium from the body (antibiotics, diuretics);

- an increase in calcium levels, which is a physiological "opponent" of magnesium. The more calcium in the body, the less magnesium, and vice versa.

The latter reason is the most frequent factor in the development of magnesium deficiency in the body. It is connected with uncontrolled intake of calcium preparations by the population, especially in high doses.

Magnesium deficiency (hypomagnesaemia) leads to serious health problems. In clinical practice, its deficiency occurs much more often than diagnosed (about 10% of patients in hospital).

During pregnancy, hypomagnesaemia causes toxicosis, miscarriage and premature labour.

Magnesium regulates the tone of the vascular wall - it promotes its relaxation and reduces blood pressure. In addition, it prevents thrombosis. Therefore, patients suffering from high blood pressure, thrombosis, stroke or heart attack should know their magnesium content.

 Magnesium regulates the content of other elements, and when its concentration decreases, electrolyte balance is disturbed. This condition is manifested by drowsiness, confusion, hand tremors and even seizures and heart rhythm disturbances.

Increased magnesium levels in the blood are also detrimental to the patient's health. This condition is possible as a result of renal and adrenal insufficiency, overdose of magnesium- and lithium-containing drugs, hepatitis.

At a magnesium concentration of 2.5-5 mmol/l, the heart is disturbed; 5-6.5 mmol/l, the respiratory centre is depressed; more than 12.5 mmol/l, the heart stops working.

To summarise, we can say that in the presence of the above symptoms, along with other laboratory values, the determination of the amount of magnesium in the blood is a necessary diagnostic criterion.

Determination of the magnesium level in the OLYMP CDL has a number of advantages:

1.         Analysis is performed on European equipment of SIEMENS company;

2. Notification of the readiness of the result by SMS-notification;

3. Possibility to receive the result via the Internet;

4. Pensioners, children under 16 years old and disabled persons are given 10% discount;

5. A home visit service for blood collection is provided.

Foods rich in magnesium are featured in the following story:

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