Methods for Testing Magnesium Deficiency

Magnesium is one of the most important minerals in our bodies because it is needed for energy production and normal cell functions. Studies have shown that magnesium is important for immunity, bone and heart health, kidney stone, stroke, depression, diabetes, high blood pressure and anxiety. Even though magnesium is essential for our health, people don’t consume enough of it which is one of the reasons why diseases are on the rise. Some of the reasons why magnesium deficiency is increasing are unhealthy diets, bad agriculture practices and the dependent of certain pharmaceutical drugs.

Magnesium deficiency tests:

1. EXATest: Is similar to the Blood Cell Magnesium Test but uses the cells of the mouth to test for magnesium. The doctor usually scraped cells around the tongue and send it to certain labs for testing. This may be the best test for magnesium deficiency because it is reliable and cost effective.
2. Ionic Magnesium Test: Is done by a company in New York called The Altura. Their special procedure makes it possible to measure the levels of magnesium ions in plasma and serum. This is the most effective magnesium blood test available.
3. Blood Cell Magnesium Test: Is done by measuring magnesium levels in red and white blood cells. This is more accurate than the Serum Magnesium Test because blood cells can contain up to 40 percent of the body’s total magnesium level.
4. Serum Magnesium Test: Is done by measuring magnesium levels in the blood. This is a poor way of measuring magnesium levels because about 1 percent of the body’s total magnesium is in the blood. If this test also measure magnesium in blood cells, it would be more accurate.

Related Posts:

• The Miracle of Magnesium
• Dietary Minerals: Good and Bad Source