• Share

PRINT

If you’re struggling with fatigue, anxiety, blood sugar problems, thyroid issues or random muscle twitches, you might be missing something simple: magnesium. It’s depleted by many things, including coffee and common antacids.

Magnesium is your body’s natural chill pill. It helps regulate heartbeat, blood sugar, nerve function and mood. But it’s depleted easily by medications, poor diet and everyday stress. Unfortunately, magnesium deficiency often flies under the radar because the symptoms mimic other conditions.

In my book Drug Muggers, I explain how medications can rob the body of essential nutrients. Magnesium is one of the most commonly depleted, and its absence can wreak havoc in ways you wouldn’t expect. (You can download a free ebook on this topic at my website; it’s called Outsmarting Drug Muggers.)

Here are 10 hidden magnesium “drug muggers” that may be draining your levels without you knowing:

1. Acid blockers like omeprazole (Prilosec) or pantoprazole (Protonix)
2. H2 blockers such as famotidine (Pepcid) or cimetidine (Tagamet)
3. Antacids, which interfere with stomach acid needed for magnesium absorption
4. Alcohol, which increases magnesium loss through urine
5. Coffee and caffeine, both of which have a diuretic effect
6. Decaf coffee and black tea, which can impair absorption
7. Diuretics like hydrozc­hlorothiazide (HCTZ) and furosemide
8. Corticosteroids like prednisone
9. Chemotherapy drugs that strip multiple nutrients
10. Smoking, which lowers magnesium levels

When magnesium is low, symptoms vary widely, ranging from high blood pressure to insomnia, anxiety, muscle cramps or even blood-sugar imbalances. These are often treated as separate conditions, when the root cause may be a simple deficiency.

Did you know magnesium plays a key role in muscle relaxation? This is why low levels lead to nighttime leg cramps. When magnesium is deficient, muscles will contract uncontrollably, leading to sudden, painful spasms that wake you up.

After my own parathyroid surgery, I experienced painful nighttime leg cramps due to the dysregulation of calcium. The solution that worked for me involved replenishing not just magnesium, but also calcium and key electrolytes. This combination finally restored balance and totally eliminated the cramps.

Misdiagnosing a nutrient deficiency as a chronic illness can lead to a frustrating cycle of medications and side effects. Many health professionals aren’t trained to look for drug-induced nutrient depletion, which is why people could end up with a new “disease” when it’s just a deficiency.

The good news? You may be healthier than you think. Replenishing magnesium (through diet or supplements) might help resolve issues that seem unrelated at first glance. Magnesium supports neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, making it critical for a good mood.

Magnesium deficiency can be easily tested with a blood sample. And your symptoms might be telling you the story now that you know what to look for. To learn more, you can check out my book Drug Muggers, available on Amazon. It could be the missing piece to your wellness puzzle.

This information is opinion only. It is not intended to treat, cure or diagnose your condition. Consult with your doctor before using any new drug or supplement.  

Suzy Cohen is a registered pharmacist and author of The 24-Hour Pharmacist and Real Solutions from Head to Toe.