Authors: Dr. Vaijayanthi Kanabur, Dr. Kishore Kumar J, Misbah Noorain, Ganga S, Vinutha Y S, Inchara R, Chaithrashree
Abstract: Magnesium is a vital mineral responsible for muscle and nerve activity, heart rhythm, bone strength, and energy metabolism. The symptoms of deficiency of magnesium include fatigue, muscle cramps, numbness, dizziness, joint pain, and lowered immunity. In spite of its significant role, a large percentage of the population in both developed and developing country suffers from magnesium deficiency. Women during periods of hormonal imbalance are at higher risk of magnesium deficiency. But there is a lack of data on magnesium status across different age groups, gender and geographical areas. So, the present study aimed at assessing the magnesium status of women in urban Bangalore A questionnaire consisting of questions on general information, dietary intake, clinical symptoms of magnesium deficiency was used for collecting data. Women aged 40 to 65 years across five regions of Bangalore—North, South, East, West, and Central were included in the study after taking written informed consent (N=500). Magnesium intake was assessed using 24 hour dietary recall method. Clinical assessment was done keeping in mind the specific signs and symptoms of Mg deficiency as reported by the subjects. Dietary assessment revealed that average intake of magnesium was below the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA). Magnesium deficiency ranged from 2.2 per cent to 13.8 per cent below RDA values. There is a wide variation in the prevalence of magnesium specific deficiency symptoms. 2.3 per cent subjects suffer from dizziness and 58. 4 per cent of subjects suffer from hair loss. Nearly, half of the subjects suffered from hair loss, muscle cramps, and frequent joint pain. Biochemical assessment is needed to validate the results.
DOI: http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17699630
