Alcoholism and Magnesium Deficiency: Why You Should be Concerned
You are here:Alcohol abuse causes a range of physical and psychological problems. Yet, millions of people ignore the dangers and continue using alcohol in massive quantities daily.
Have you ever wondered what happens in the body to cause alcohol side effects? If not, you might benefit from knowing about the connection between alcoholism and magnesium deficiency and how they affect a person’s overall health.
What Is Magnesium?
Magnesium (Mg) is an essential mineral that regulates many bodily processes at the cellular level such as:
- Protein synthesis
- Blood sugar levels
- Blood pressure
- Muscle and nerve health
- DNA creation
- Bone maintenance
- Energy production
- Strong bones
- Normal heart rhythm
Magnesium also aids in the production of neuronal nitric oxide. A deficiency of this compound can cause depression symptoms and many other problems.
The recommended daily allowance of magnesium in adults is 420 mg for males and 320 mg for females. Sources of magnesium include certain foods, dietary supplements, and some medications. Healthy adult bodies contain 25g of magnesium, mostly in the bones and soft tissues. The kidneys excrete about 120 mg of magnesium through urine.
Studies show that many people don’t get enough magnesium and some health conditions, alcoholism, and some medications cause magnesium deficiency. It’s important to note that too much magnesium from food will be eliminated in the urine. However, excess magnesium from dietary supplements or medications can cause toxicity symptoms like nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramping, and diarrhea. Severe cases of Mg toxicity can cause retention of urine, lethargy, muscle weakness, difficulty breathing, and cardiac arrest.
How Does Alcohol Reduce Magnesium Levels in the Body?
Ethanol is the main ingredient in alcohol. It works as a diuretic that pulls Mg and other electrolytes out through the kidneys. Alcohol intake affects magnesium levels in different ways:
- Alcohol causes an immediate increase in urinary excretion of Mg.
- Bodily stores of Mg are depleted when alcohol is heavily consumed.
- Many symptoms of alcoholism are attributed to Mg deficiency.
- Impairs the absorption of magnesium.
Experts suggest more attention should be paid to the therapeutic benefits of treating alcoholism with Mg as a preventative measure.
The combination of low magnesium levels and chronic alcohol consumption is especially dangerous for individuals with type 2 diabetes, gastrointestinal diseases, and cardiovascular disease.
Side Effects of Magnesium Deficiency
Generally, you won’t know you have low magnesium levels until they drop dramatically. At this stage of deficiency, side effects may appear. They include:
- Headaches
- General body weakness
- Nausea
- Constipation
- Leg cramps
- Tingling or numbness in extremities
- Tremors
- Irregular heart rate
Mg supplements can help diminish the symptoms, but be careful not to overdo it. Too much magnesium can be toxic. If you have type 2 diabetes, bariatric surgery, atrial fibrillation, or take acid reflux medications, you could benefit from Mg supplements.
Side Effects of Chronic Alcohol Abuse
Alcohol abuse causes a long list of side effects, many of which coincide with magnesium deficiency. They include, but are not limited to:
- Nausea, vomiting
- Headache, dizziness
- Dehydration
- Impaired judgment
- Depression
- Poor coordination
- Memory problems
- Cardiovascular problems
- Certain cancers
- Liver and kidney damage
- High blood pressure
Heavy alcohol intake also weakens your immune system, leaving you vulnerable to diseases like pneumonia and TB.
Why You Should Be Concerned
Continued alcohol abuse will take a tremendous toll on your body. Over time, some of the damage will become permanent. Magnesium supplements won’t help much if alcohol is repeatedly present in your system. Your best recourse is to seek treatment in a professional facility that provides holistic therapies that promote healing through nutrition, exercise, and counseling.
Treatment for Alcohol Abuse at Design for Change
Alcohol abuse kills about 178,000 people each year in the U.S. Globally, the number is shockingly higher at over 3 million deaths each year. The deaths result from alcohol poisoning, driving while drinking, liver disease, cancer, and other alcohol-related problems, including suicide.
At Design for Change, our group of highly skilled staff works diligently to bring those numbers down. You can expect a full continuum of care that includes evidence-based holistic therapies, including:
- Detoxification
- Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
- Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
- Medication-Assisted Treatment
- Group and Individual Counseling
- Dual-Diagnosis Treatment
- Motivational Interviewing
- Psychodrama Therapy
- Psychodrama Therapy
- Bio-Sound Therapy
- Experiential Therapy
- Music and Art Therapy
- Mindfulness and Meditation
- Nutritional Education
- Relapse Prevention Strategies
- Family Therapy
- Aftercare Services
Our personalized programs allow clients to get the exact level of care they need based on their unique situation. We seek to address the physiological, psychological, and spiritual aspects of addiction. This approach is proven to help clients achieve long-term recovery.
Alcohol abuse and magnesium deficiency go hand-in-hand, so it’s important to nourish the body during detox and recovery. We offer a nutritious diet including plant-based foods as part of your treatment plan. The healthy foods will help restore some of the lost vitamins and minerals. As a result, you’ll feel stronger, more confident, and able to handle alcohol temptations more effectively.
Contact our Lancaster, CA facility to speak with a treatment advisor and learn more about our programs.
Sources:
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov – Magnesium Deficiency and Alcohol Intake: Mechanisms, Clinical Significance and Possible Relation to Cancer Development (a review)
ods.od.nih.gov – Magnesium
niaaa.nih.gov – Alcohol’s Effects on Health
cdc.gov – Facts About U.S. Deaths from Excessive Alcohol Use
