Magnesium Series: 22 Possible Causes of Magnesium/Vitamin/Mineral Deficiencies

by Kim Andersen

Magnesium is the second most common “Essential Nutrient” deficiency in North America and the #1 cause of heart attacks in the USA (2021). This fact draws attention to the importance of getting your Essential Vitamins and Minerals. Magnesium relies on most of the essential nutrients to repair and complete body functions and therefore if you have either a deficiency in a vitamin or a mineral, even if you have enough magnesium, then you are not likely to get all the benefits of your Magnesium.

Below is a quick list of factors that can impact your ability to get and absorb magnesium/vitamins and other minerals.

  1. Deficient soils:

Most of our agricultural soils are deplete and now rely on chemicals to propagate. This produces a poor-quality product that is lacking the minerals we need. If you can, start a veggie garden.

  1. Antacids Low stomach acid:

Low stomach acid, which is produced by antacids, blocks the absorption of most minerals, especially magnesium and calcium. It also shuts down your liver from making bile, the main acid that breaks down your proteins and fats.

And… (same results, different cause)

  1. Dietary Low stomach acid:

Stomach acid of 1-1.5 pH is required to pull minerals into your body. Many processed foods and grains increase the pH of the stomach. This lowers the absorption of magnesium, zinc, calcium and iron, to name the most common.

  1. Cortisone, Prednisone, Steroid medication:

Deplete potassium and magnesium.

  1. Medications:

Deplete all minerals in different proportions.

  1. Birth control pills:

Deplete you of magnesium and zinc.

  1. Coffee:

In excess (more than 16oz/day of mid-strength coffee), it will deplete you of calcium, magnesium, zinc and sodium (basically all your electrolytes).

  1. Soda:

Has a lot of phosphorus, which depletes the body of calcium, magnesium and potassium.

  1. Sugar:

Depletes potassium, magnesium, chromium and zinc.

  1. High insulin levels:

Will block the absorption of all vitamins and minerals. Those most affected are potassium, magnesium and chromium.

  1. Hyperthyroid:

You will be deficient in calcium, magnesium and selenium.

  1. Stress:

Natural cortisol, which is produced when you are under stress, in turn produces Insulin, which listed above, will deplete the body of potassium, magnesium and chromium, but notably the B vitamins (B1, B2, B5, B6, B12). This shortage will burn-out your adrenals, which affects the heart and the maintenance of beat regulation. Can’t change your stress level? Then lower your Insulin by adopting a low/no carb diet.

  1. Grains:

Grains have Phytic Acid, which prevents the absorption of minerals and grains have Lectin, which causes Leaky Gut, which impacts the entire absorption ability of the colon.

  1. Oxalates:

Lock up calcium in the body and inhibit access, creating essentially a calcium deficiency, but also impacts your ability to complete magnesium functions that require calcium. Kidney stone are a symptom of high oxalates.

  1. Low consumption of green leafy, non-starchy vegetables:

Green vegetables are a great source of vitamins and minerals and can be eaten in generous quantities daily. Grass-fed beef and eggs, for Obligate Carnivores, provides these vitamins and minerals.

  1. Low consumption of sea vegetables/meats:

The sea provides us with our Iodine, which is vital for a well-functioning thyroid. Beef has iodine, especially the liver. You can take kelp capsules, Omega 3 and Phytoplankton (very pricey).

  1. Pregnancy:

The demand for nutrient is so high that it can cause a deficiency, if your diet is not enriched with meat and vegetables. Synthetic pre-natal vitamins are insufficient to provide the body with proper nutrient in the quantities it needs. Meat and vegetables offer proper, balanced nutrients in the measures needed.

  1. A vegan/obligate vegetarian diet:

It is hard to get all the nutrients your need just from plants, so deficiencies like iron are common.

  1. Mercury exposure:

Mercury is found in amalgam dental fillings and long-term exposure depletes you of magnesium and calcium.

  1. Lead exposure:

Depletes calcium.

  1. Excess calcium:

Calcium carbonate in large amounts (generally taken as a supplement) will deplete your magnesium level.

  1. Alcohol:

Depletes vitamin C, potassium, magnesium and calcium, to name a few.

Last Word:

The sexes need different levels of magnesium. Men need 400-420 mg/day

 And women need 310-320 mg/day, but consider taking higher measures for a period of time to replenish your levels and work to alleviating the cause of poor absorption.

Note: We carry Magnesium Chloride bath crystals and topical spray:

Spray-on: https://kimandersen.ca/products/magnesium-spray-750-mg-strength-120ml?_pos=1&_psq=magn&_ss=e&_v=1.0

Bath Crystals: https://kimandersen.ca/products/magnesium-bath-crystals-100-pure-120ml?_pos=2&_psq=mag&_ss=e&_v=1.0

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References

1.Berry, Dr. Ken. Magnesium Deficiency: Symptoms and Supplements. https://youtu.be/VDOhbrU29ZM?si=VyDAw8qXGPH0OK0y

May 11, 2023.

2.Berg, Dr. Eric. The Benefits of Magnesium. https://youtu.be/1ujevUNrlSM?si=_KPSDIuCaEk4hFZS. Dec. 4, 2017.

3.Berg, Dr. Eric. Best and Worst Types of Magnesium. https://youtu.be/hIAsSAgTRb4?si=7MmY8Gk5SiPv5baj. Feb 8, 2021.

4.Berg, Dr. Eric. The 20 Things that Result in Mineral Deficiencies. https://youtu.be/RwaBFUDB5RQ?si=i3zhFTxwiZnDQxgD. Jan 20, 2018.

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