Doctor explains causes, warning signs, and the best treatment options

Magnesium deficiency is not very common, but it tends to appear in specific situations.

Dr Deepesh V notes, “Low magnesium is not very common in the general population. It occurs in less than 2% of individuals, mostly in people who have alcohol use disorder, which results in decreased food intake. Alcohol, per se, increases the loss of magnesium through the urine.”
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There is a clear pattern in hospitals.
“About 10% of hospitalized patients are detected with magnesium deficiency, and almost 50 to 60% of them are found in the ICU.”

The reasons are often layered. Some of the most overlooked triggers include:

Long-term use of medicines like diuretics and acid reducers
Certain antibiotics and chemotherapy drugs
Chronic diarrhoea or gut disorders that block absorption
Poor nutrition over time
Alcohol use that both reduces intake and increases loss

A report by Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) also highlights that micronutrient deficiencies in India often go unnoticed due to dietary gaps and absorption issues.