From the Guidelines
There is a correlation between dizziness and low magnesium levels, as magnesium deficiency can cause dizziness, vertigo, and balance problems due to its crucial role in nerve function, muscle control, and maintaining proper electrical activity in the brain. According to the study published in Circulation 1, hypomagnesemia, defined as a serum magnesium concentration <1.3 mEq/L, can result from decreased absorption or increased loss of magnesium from either the kidneys or intestines, and can be induced by alterations in thyroid hormone function, certain medications, and malnourishment.
Some key points to consider when addressing dizziness and low magnesium levels include:
- Increasing magnesium intake may help alleviate dizziness symptoms
- Recommended daily allowance of magnesium for adults is 310-420mg
- Magnesium supplements such as magnesium citrate, glycinate, or malate can be taken at 200-400mg daily, divided into 2-3 doses with food
- Incorporating magnesium-rich foods like dark leafy greens, nuts, seeds, whole grains, and legumes into the diet can also help
- Staying well-hydrated and maintaining balanced nutrition is important, as magnesium deficiency often occurs alongside other electrolyte imbalances
It's also important to note that dizziness can be caused by various factors, and a differential diagnosis is necessary to determine the underlying cause, as outlined in the study published in Otolaryngology--head and neck surgery 1. If dizziness persists despite supplementation, it's essential to consult a healthcare provider to rule out other underlying conditions that may require different treatment.
From the Research
Correlation between Dizziness and Low Magnesium
- There is evidence to suggest that low magnesium levels can lead to various neuromuscular and nervous disorders, including dizziness 2.
- Magnesium plays a crucial role in the regulation of muscular contraction, blood pressure, insulin metabolism, cardiac excitability, vasomotor tone, nerve transmission, and neuromuscular conduction, and imbalances in magnesium status can result in unwanted disorders 2.
- Hypomagnesemia, or low magnesium levels, can lead to many clinical manifestations, including some that are life-threatening, and may be associated with symptoms such as dizziness 3.
- While there is no direct study on the correlation between dizziness and low magnesium, the available evidence suggests that magnesium deficiency can lead to a range of symptoms and disorders that may include dizziness 4, 2, 3, 5.
Magnesium Deficiency and Related Symptoms
- Low levels of magnesium have been associated with a number of chronic diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, insulin resistance and type-2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, migraine headaches, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) 2.
- Magnesium deficiency can lead to a vicious circle of stress and magnesium loss, where stress increases magnesium loss, and magnesium deficiency enhances the body's susceptibility to stress 5.
- The importance of magnesium in the human body and its role in preventing and treating many diseases highlights the need for adequate magnesium status to maintain overall health 2, 3.