MAGNESIUM – A FORGOTTEN CATION IN WOMEN
*C. Maria, Sangeeta B. Trimbake, Tejas P. Mhapankar and Dr. Shilpa A. Pratinidhi
ABSTRACT
Background: Magnesium is an important and vital element in maintaining the body functions. It needs to be supplemented adequately. Deficiency of magnesium can lead to various derangements in the metabolic processes of the human body. Decline in magnesium levels after menopause should be monitored and corrected in order to avoid the complications in the remaining years of healthy life. Objectives: To estimate the levels of Serum Magnesium in the women who have attained menopause for at least a period of one year. Study Design: A Case-Control Clinical Investigational Study. Setting: Central Clinical Laboratory of MIMER Medical College, Talegaon Dabhade, Pune and Department of Biochemistry, MIMER Medical College, Talegaon Dabhade, Pune. Data Sources and Analysis: Serum Magnesium levels of 60 women [30 – control and 30 – cases] were estimated and analysed. Results: The women in the case group reflected low serum magnesium levels due to decreased levels of the hormone, oestrogen after the age of menopause. However, to the contrary, women in the control group had adequate amount of magnesium to maintain the metabolic functions. Mean age of the case group was 67.1 ± 10.2 years and of the control group was 30.4 ± 6.01 years. Serum Magnesium levels of the case group was 1.95 ± 0.376 mg/dL and of the control group was 2.23 ± 0.364 mg/dL. Conclusion: Magnesium, being an essential cation, is required for various functions. Its requirement must be adequately met and deficiencies should be given prompt attention. Women are more commonly affected than men and need to be assessed for serum magnesium levels. Menopause brings about a wide array of changes in equilibrium and is a period that requires utmost attention. Sufficient intake and supplementation of magnesium thus becomes an inevitable part of treatment in associated risks and illnesses.
Keywords: Serum Magnesium, Post-Menopausal women, Dietary Magnesium.
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