Could my dad, who has Parkinson’s, be deficient in magnesium?
Some of Dad's recent symptoms have me questioning his electrolyte levels
I recently discovered that I, like 10% to 30% of the human population, am deficient in magnesium. The mineral plays a key role in supporting nerve and muscle function, the immune system, and strong bones, and it’s commonly found in foods such as green, leafy vegetables, nuts, and coconut water. A magnesium deficiency can contribute to symptoms such as nausea, weakness, fatigue, loss of appetite, tremors, and an abnormal heart rhythm.
I discovered I was deficient in this powerful mineral after evaluating my cortisol (stress hormone) levels, which magnesium generally helps regulate. When this regulator became depleted, my cortisol levels climbed.
After checking off a handful of magnesium deficiency symptoms I was experiencing, I remembered that I’m practically a clone of my dad, who has Parkinson’s disease. The realization made me wonder if he was at risk of this issue, as well.
While Dad hasn’t had his magnesium levels tested yet, he’s experienced several symptoms that could possibly be attributed to a deficiency. For example, over the past year, he’s made a few trips to the emergency room after becoming severely dehydrated (at least, that’s what we thought the problem was). A bag of fluids later, he felt human again.
Lately, he’s also been struggling with nausea more than he used to. When this symptom first materialized, we were quick to write it off as a side effect of levodopa. And it could be. But now I’m wondering if the problem is a little more complicated than that.
As an athlete, any time I ran into this type of nausea, I assumed that my salt levels were low. (Lab testing has shown that they’re often on the low side.) As a result, I started keeping a large supply of electrolytes at home. Gulping down the slightly salty liquid almost immediately pushed the queasiness away. My latest test results showed that I’m deficient in both salt and magnesium. And guess what? Electrolytes contain both of those things, and IV fluids may contain magnesium in addition to saline.
According to the Australian nonprofit organization Parkinson’s NSW, “Recent research has suggested that people living with Parkinson’s are often deficient in magnesium, which may have a protective role to play in regard to neurological diseases in general.”
For that reason, I want to make sure we evaluate my dad’s levels. My theory could be totally off base. But if there’s a way to alleviate some of his struggles, we need to explore it.
Note: Parkinson’s News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Parkinson’s News Today or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to Parkinson’s disease.
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Pietro Giovanni Fargnoli
finding out if a dosage of some Magnesium, daily. would be Beneficial to reduce Parkinson, I am an 86 yrs Old.. Thank You.
Jack Walden
It’s interesting to meet another guy who is a clone of his dad. My dad had mild, slowly progressing Parkinson’s Disease like me. He lived to be 87. I’m a hopeful 67. I’m sort of a non believer when it comes to supplements. A few months ago my wife forced some B12 and I am MUCH better. It probably want hurt to see how he does on magnesium. Maybe I need it ….
Ian Daviesw
Well. what's stopping you getting him tested then?
Roy
Roy has had both a deficit in magnesium and too much! He has his blood checked regularly to check levels of vitamins, minerals, and electrolytes. He was taken off Magnesium, and put on Vitamins D and B12. Potassium was continued. When this was done, his orthostatic hypotension improved dramatically, which also caused a decrease in seizures from very low blood pressure.
Gary Baumann
I take numerous supplements including available forms of magnesium. Magnesium oxide is not a useful form. I also eat a lot of vegetables, especially leafy greens. A few times a week I make smoothies with spirulina - chlorella, spinach or kale or homegrown chard, carrots, banana, protein,calming milk, etc, etc. I work out 5 days a week. 5 years ago after serious crash I was diagnosed with PD. Now at 75 I still have it. Most useful supplements for me are CoQ10, magnesium threanate, B complex , nattokinase, tocotrinels, bentofomine, D with K2. Most importantly limit refined artificial foods and high glycemic sugars and starches
Terri Duffy
I am curious about the carbidopa/levadopa in the 25/100 mg dosage. When I first figured out that I had Parkinsons’s, it took nine months until I got diagnosed. I was still working, so I asked my Primary Cre Provider if he could prescribe the PD needs. He was reluctant, but gave me the 10/100 dose. It was amazing!
However, the slow-release tabs only come in the 25/100 configuration. I have tried to take them 2x, but absolutely cannot. They make me freeze almost completely and hallucinate and really messes up my stomach.
When I told my current neurologist, he said, “That shouldn’t happen!” Explained that there is nothing in the carbidopa to cause that.
I told him, “Yeah, but it DID,”
We know several folks who say they cannot take the meds. I have beenwondering lately if this is why?
Barbara heidenis
My husbands neurologist increased his carbi- levadopa from 2 25-100 3X per day to 3 25-100 3 x a day. Began to hallucinate had no clue where he was and thought that he was 12 years old a living with his parents. This happened 1 day following increased dosage.His MD said that it would not happen. But it did! He was fine the next day after going back to original dose.
Lucille Leader
RE Magnesium Discussion:
It is essential to be guided by a Clinical Nutritionist or medical professional. Patients with PD should always have appropriate tests to establish general nutritional cellular status. Magnesium is best tested by RED CELL MAGNESIUM method of blood test, to establish status.
Magnesium serves different metabolic pathways but is very important as support in PD because one if its specialised functions is to relax muscles. It interchanges with calcium in cells and if this is a problem...... magnesium entry is compromised - and PD symptoms can include stiffness or spasm or other muscle related problems. There are different forms of magnesium and the appropriate form needs to be professionally recommended, according to the symptoms. Relying only on food which contains magnesium may not always be sufficient therapeutically as digestive enzymes may be compromised - and may also need clinical support.
Lucille Leader
Re Carbidopa Discussion re intolerance.
L-dopa medication is also produced with an option to Carbidopa....this is Benserazide. Both Carbidopa and Benserazide act as Decarboxylase inhibitors. Discussion about Comparison of drug response to both may be helpful? L-dopa with carbidopa and L-dopa with benserazide
Paul Gruber
Yes! Magnesium is a big help to me. I was diagnosed in 2006. I am 80 and in the past few years have experienced twitching, routine afternoon crash/off times, severe constipation, insomnia. I have excellent neurological care but nothing tried has worked. This past year my wife began again to research online and came across magnesium deficiency causing many of my symptoms. Bingo. I take a simple supplement and it addresses many of these symptoms. The twitching goes away within 1 hour, the constipation is so much less, the predictable afternoon crashes I had for so many years are gone with no change in my CD/LD doses. Placebo effect? Maybe. But I'm doing better. Still can't walk well, or drive. Can't type either (my wife is posting this for me). But other things are much better. Try it - you can get too much, which brings other problems. So just slowly work with it to see if it will work for you. Go for it. Life is short, and getting shorter.