Why check magnesium levels with potassium levels?
Potassium and magnesium, along with calcium, are important minerals that help regulate many bodily functions. According to the National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements, if you have chronically low blood levels of potassium and calcium, you might have an underlying magnesium deficiency.Importance of PotassiumCells, especially nerve and muscle cells, require potassium to function properly. Although a small drop in potassium usually doesn’t cause symptoms, a big decrease can be life threatening, according to Medline Plus.Potassium-Magnesium RelationshipMagnesium helps regulate the movement of potassium in and out of cells as part of the sodium/potassium pump, which involves moving sodium out of cells and moving potassium into cells.SupplementsAccording to the Office of Dietary Supplements, magnesium supplements may help correct potassium and calcium deficiencies.ConsiderationsPrescription diuretics (water pills often used for high blood pressure) tend to deplete magnesi
