Common mistakes around Magnesium Basis

Common mistakes around magnesium include: 1) Taking it without assessing actual need – serum magnesium reflects only ~1% of total body stores; a true deficiency is better detected via RBC magnesium or clinical symptoms. 2) Ignoring kidney function – impaired kidneys cannot excrete excess magnesium, risking toxicity. 3) Choosing the wrong form – magnesium oxide has poor bioavailability; citrate, glycinate, or malate are better absorbed. 4) Overlooking drug interactions – e.g., proton pump inhibitors, diuretics, or calcium supplements can alter magnesium status. 5) Believing marketing claims like “everyone is deficient” or “magnesium cures everything” – evidence is moderate for specific uses (migraine, constipation, muscle cramps) but not universal. 6) Relying on genetic tests (e.g., TRPM6) to guide dosing – mechanistically plausible but clinically unvalidated. Evidence is mixed: partly human studies, partly mechanistic. Safety note: high supplemental doses (>350 mg/day) can cause diarrhea; consult a doctor if you have kidney disease or arrhythmias.