Nutrients & foods

Vitamins & minerals

Magnesium

Helps enzymes, nerves and muscles work, and participates in energy production.

Updated September 17, 2026 · Educational reference

What it does

Helps enzymes, nerves and muscles work, and participates in energy production.

Possible deficiency symptoms

Low magnesium can cause fatigue, weakness and, when more severe, muscle cramps or abnormal heart rhythms. These symptoms have many possible causes.

Food sources

Pumpkin seeds; almonds; spinach; beans; whole grains.

Supplement forms

Citrate, chloride, oxide and glycinate are examples. The label reports elemental magnesium.

Before taking a supplement

Supplements may cause diarrhea. Kidney disease and some medicines change the safety of supplementation.

Questions for your visit

Could my diet, medicines, absorption or another condition explain my concern? What evidence would support treatment, and how would we check whether it helps?

Names you may see

Magnesium · magnesium deficiency · muscle cramps

Sources & perspective

This is an editorial adaptation of the Purser Wellness nutrient reference app. Purser teaching connections are labeled separately from clinical interpretation. Private cases and individual treatment protocols are not reproduced.

Use the public resources below for additional context.

NIH Office of Dietary Supplements: Magnesium