Why associate magnesium and potassium
Magnesium and potassium are often made to marry within various dietary supplements with rehydrating, diuretic or simple integration purposes.
The rationale for this association lies in the close biological correlation between the levels of the two minerals in the body; magnesium, in fact, represents an essential cofactor for the activity of the sodium / potassium pump, responsible for the transport of sodium ions in the extracellular environment and potassium ions in the cells' internal environment.
This transport takes place against a concentration gradient and must therefore exploit the energy deriving from the hydrolysis of ATP. According to the above, magnesium deficiencies can limit the functionality of this pump, reducing intracellular potassium concentrations and increasing those of sodium.
Magnesium deficiencies can therefore lead to potassium losses.
Not surprisingly, in many patients who are sick, dehydrated or on therapy with thiazide diuretics, magnesium and potassium deficiencies (hypokalemia + hypomagnesaemia) can be identified simultaneously.
The fact that magnesium - just like potassium - is a mainly intracellular ion, means that very often its dosage in the blood does not reflect the real state of organic reserves; a reduction in serum concentrations of this mineral can therefore be a very late signal of hypomagnesemia.
In patients with documented hypokalemia (potassium deficiency), unresolved by supplementation with specific potassium supplements, joint administration of magnesium is particularly indicated.
Indeed, an unfulfilled magnesium deficiency risks compromising the therapeutic result of potassium administration to treat a concomitant hypopotassemia.
Symptoms and Causes of Deficiency
Deficiencies of magnesium and potassium can be signaled by symptoms such as: chronic fatigue, constipation, depression, headache, insomnia, muscle weakness, nervousness, peripheral edema (ankles, swollen feet) and breathing difficulties.
Deficiencies of magnesium and potassium can be linked to intense physical activity, copious sweating, diarrhea and malabsorption, vomiting, poorly controlled diabetes, malnutrition, alcoholism, hypertension and insufficient dietary intake.
Feeding Equipment
Magnesium, being an integral part of chlorophyll, is widespread especially in green vegetables; potassium, as well as in vegetables and legumes, is abundant in fruit (figs, dates, plums, walnuts) and in cereals.
