Iodine Series - Widespread Magnesium Deficiency - Part 9 of 10

Posted On Aug 23, 2019 by Dr. Max MacCloud DO, ND, PhD

Part 9 of 10


This is part 9 of the series and continues the explanation of why we have a major 'Iodine Crisis.'



Widespread Magnesium Deficiency: Magnesium is necessary for the proper absorption of Iodine, in addition to hundreds of other vital functions via its role in approx. 500 different enzymes. Many nutritional surveys have demonstrated that most Americans (80+%) do not consume enough magnesium based on the RDA guidelines. More importantly, based on strong scientific evidence and the opinions of top experts in the field, the RDAs are grossly inadequate and were never intended to provide optimum levels. For more details, see my posts or videos on Magnesium.



Here are some of the reasons why Magnesium deficiency is so common:

Magnesium needs &/or losses are increased by: Pregnancy, prenatal stress, psychological stress, physical stress, environmental stress, exercise, sweating, anabolic activity (building muscle, recovering from illness or injury, etc.).

  1. Soil Depletion: Our soil is depleted of minerals and has been for decades. This is well-documented and is due to our 'modern' approach to farming and lack of comprehensive soil rebuilding. Fertilizers only replace Nitrogen, Phosphorus, & Potassium (NPK), yet growing plants take over two dozen minerals from the soil (if they are present). The problem is that only those three substances are required for plants to grow and that's all that MOST farmers and ALL of the big food companies care about.
  2. Food Processing: While there are a number of plants that 'on paper' contain significant amounts of Mg (such as anything green, as it is part of the chlorophyll molecule), poor soil quality, together with excessive processing, strips many vitamins and minerals from the final 'food-like' product. The textbooks and food charts do not reflect these losses.
  3. Excessive Calcium intake: Calcium competes with Magnesium for absorption, thereby suppressing the amount of Mg that is absorbed and dramatically increasing the amount needed to stay in equilibrium. The Dairy Industry is huge and spends billions on lobbying & advertising to promote their products as good sources of calcium. They have trained the public to seek high amounts of calcium to create demand for their products. There is no large, organized 'green-leafy vegetable' or Magnesium lobbying or advertising group to counter the largely false and misleading advertising of the dairy industry.
  4. High Stress: All types of stress cause the body to use more, and/or lose magnesium. Mg is also lost in sweat, thereby further depleting stores and increasing the need in those who exercise regularly.
  5. Alcohol consumption causes increased losses of Mg.
  6. Medications: There's a huge list of drugs that deplete Mg levels. They fall into the following categories: Acid blockers, Antacids, Antibiotics, Antiviral agents, Blood Pressure Medications, Central Nervous System (CNS) Stimulants, Cholesterol agents, Corticosteroids, Hormone replacement therapy, Oral contraceptives, Immuno-suppressants, Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory meds, Aromatase inhibitors, Osteoporosis agents, SERMS (Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators), & Sulfonamides.
  7. Miscellaneous: There are also a handful of other things that interfere with Mg including Calcium supplements, coffee, estrogen dominance, high cortisol levels, high sugar diet, hydrochloric acid deficiency (extremely common), malabsorption of any sort, and mineral oil.


For all of the above reasons, it is imperative to aggressively and consistently consume magnesium-rich foods and to supplement appropriately to achieve magnesium balance at an optimum level. We make some of the best & most innovative Magnesium support products on the market, go to MyBodySymphony.com for more info.