Hypomagnesemia can have several causes.

Although fairly resilient, the human body is intricately designed.

An imbalance of vitamins and minerals in the body can lead to health issues.

Specific deficiencies can be recognized by their unique symptoms.

According to a recent VeryWell Health article titled "What Is Magnesium Deficiency?," Hypomagnesemia occurs when the body cannot properly eliminate or absorb magnesium.

Hypomagnesemia can result from malfunctioning kidneys.

Symptoms like fatigue, nausea, or muscle cramps can be relatively mild.

Hypomagnesemia can also be severe and lead to abnormal heart rhythms, coma, and seizures.

Yikes!

In short, it is nothing to ignore.

The mineral magnesium is essential for health.

Although magnesium is absorbed in the small intestines and the stomach, the kidneys maintain levels by decreasing or increasing amounts of the mineral eliminated during urination.

How exactly does magnesium help the body?

It works with other electrolytes like sodium, potassium, and calcium.

The mineral regulates muscle and nerve functioning, rebuilds damaged tissues, balances fluids, and maintains blood pressure and acidity.

Magnesium also plays key roles in heart rhythm, blood glucose, brain function, metabolism, and the development and repair of bones.

Hypomagnesemia occurs when levels fall below the normal range.

What causes Hypomagnesemia?

Alcohol Use Disorder.

Consuming alcohol excessively can inhibit kidney and liver function.

Alcohol calories are "empty" calories, leading to poor nutrition.

In turn, this impacts the excretion and absorption of magnesium.

Celiac Disease.

Because celiac disease triggers an immune response to gluten, the reaction can change how minerals and vitamins like magnesium are eliminated and absorbed.

Cystic Fibrosis.

Cystic fibrosis can lead to Hypomagnesemia through the excessive production of mucus in the intestines.

With too much mucus coating the walls, magnesium absorption can be hindered.

Diabetes.

Excessive urination is a common symptom of untreated Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes.

As a result, too much magnesium can be eliminated.

Diarrhea. 

Too much magnesium can be expelled from the body, whether the diarrhea is persistent or severe.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Chronically inflamed intestines lead to poor absorption of nutrients like magnesium.

Gastric Bypass Surgery.

Hypomagnesemia can result from how the surgery reduces the area of stomach tissue available for magnesium absorption.

Kidney Tubular Disorders.

Certain parts of the kidneys filter magnesium from blood.

With kidney tubular disorders, these areas are often affected.

Medications.

Medications can impact both the absorption and elimination of magnesium.

Common drugs with these effects are proton pump inhibitors, diuretics, some chemotherapy drugs, immunosuppressants, and antibiotics.

Pancreatitis.

When the pancreas is inflamed, poor absorption of nutrients like magnesium often results.

Starvation.

Through a sheer lack of nutritional intake, starvation will lead to Hypomagnesemia and a host of other issues, including death.

Although several of these causes of magnesium deficiency are simply the result of genetics, you can reduce the impact and severity of this deficiency by consistently visiting with your physician and taking proactive steps to manage conditions and promote health.

Taking care of our health is a primary personal responsibility.

While we "cannot fool our gene pool," we can directly impact lifestyle and dietary choices.

If it has been some time since you have had a full physical examination with your physician, then there is no time like the present.

As Benjamin Franklin famously quipped, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."

Reference: VeryWell Health (May 18, 2023) "What Is Magnesium Deficiency?"