Latest news with #DrHeatherViola
Fox News
19 hours ago
- Health
- Fox News
Do you need a magnesium supplement? Experts share symptoms of deficiency
Magnesium is said to be a natural remedy for a variety of ailments — but is it really necessary to supplement, and if so, how much do you need? Fox News Digital spoke to multiple health experts about the multipurpose mineral, which plays a role in over 300 of the body's enzyme systems and helps with energy production, muscle and nerve function, and blood pressure regulation. Magnesium may help lower the risk of certain diseases and could help to improve sleep, reduce stress and anxiety, and prevent nighttime muscle cramps, sources said. The nutrient "supports a stable heartbeat and prevents arrhythmias, works with calcium and vitamin D to keep bones strong, and aids insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism," Dr. Heather Viola, a primary care physician with Mount Sinai Health System in New York City, told Fox News Digital. Magnesium can also help with constipation relief, migraine prevention and PMS symptoms, according to Eleana Quattrocchi, a pharmacist and associate professor of pharmacy practice at Long Island University in Brooklyn, New York. Many Americans do not get enough magnesium in their diet, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Office of Dietary Supplements. "Habitually low intakes of magnesium induce changes in biochemical pathways that can increase the risk of illness over time," the NIH website states. Studies have shown that up to 15% of people in the U.S. could experience magnesium deficiency. Lack of magnesium can raise the risk of hypertension, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, migraine headaches and osteoporosis. Potential symptoms include insomnia, muscle cramps, constipation, nausea and vomiting, fatigue, weakness, numbness, tingling, personality changes and heart arrhythmias, experts say. In severe cases, hypocalcemia (low calcium levels) or hypokalemia (low potassium levels) might occur, according to the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. Blood tests can help detect low levels, but Viola cautioned that those tests "aren't perfect" because most magnesium is inside cells, not in serum. Studies have shown that up to 15% of people in the U.S. could experience magnesium deficiency. Certain medical conditions, alcoholism, some medications and a diet lacking in the mineral may contribute to magnesium deficiency. "People with gastrointestinal disease, such as Celiac disease or Crohn's disease, or those who have had a gastric bypass may develop magnesium deficiency," Sue-Ellen Anderson-Haynes, a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and a registered dietitian who owns 360Girls&Women in Massachusetts, told Fox News Digital. The recommended daily dietary intake of magnesium is 310 to 320 mg per day for adult women and 400 to 420 mg per day for adult men. "The majority of magnesium is found in plants liked nuts, seeds and beans," Anderson-Haynes told Fox News Digital. "For reference, 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) of pumpkin seeds provides 156 mg of magnesium and 1 ounce of chia seeds is 111 mg (26% DV) of magnesium."COMMON HOUSEHOLD SPICE MAY INTERFERE WITH MEDICINES, STUDY SUGGESTS Some specific sources of magnesium include peanut butter, bananas, avocado, nuts (almonds), black beans, leafy greens (like spinach and kale), whole grains, yogurt and dark chocolate. While dietary sources are the best way to meet daily magnesium requirements, supplements are recommended in certain cases, health experts told Fox News Digital. "A supplement should be taken when a known deficiency or a health condition is present with excessive magnesium losses, like alcoholism," Samantha Dieras, a registered dietitian and director for ambulatory nutrition services at the Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, told Fox News Digital. Physicians may recommend supplements for magnesium-deficient patients or for individuals who are taking certain medications, such as diuretics or Proton pump inhibitors that can deplete magnesium, Viola noted. It is possible to ingest too much supplementation. "You can get too much magnesium, but mainly from supplements, not food," Viola said. "It's very safe from food, as kidneys eliminate the excess." Over-supplementing can cause diarrhea, nausea and lethargy, according to the expert. Magnesium supplements come in different forms for various purposes, which are absorbed in different ways. One of the most popular forms is magnesium citrate, which is typically taken orally to raise levels in the body and alleviate constipation, according to Healthline. Magnesium chloride is another good choice for correcting deficiencies, and also alleviates heartburn and constipation. For those who can't tolerate other forms, magnesium lactate and magnesium malate may be gentler on the digestive system, Healthline noted. Magnesium taurate is known to have potential benefits of regulating high blood sugar and high blood pressure, while magnesium L-threonate could potentially help support brain health. "You can get too much magnesium, but mainly from supplements, not food." "The magnesium salts used for a calming effect are glycinate and taurate," Quattrocchi told Fox News Digital. Magnesium glycinate has also been shown to improve sleep, reduce mental health issues and treat inflammatory conditions, according to Healthline. For more Health articles, visit Individuals should speak with their physician before starting magnesium supplements, as it may interfere with some medications and medical conditions.
Daily Mail
22-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Doctors issue warning over mystery rise of young, fit women with crippling medieval condition
Looking at these women — with their slim waists and active lifestyles — you'd never guess they're battling a disease once reserved for overweight, wine-guzzling aristocrats. But gout, the crippling condition historically dubbed the 'disease of kings', is making a shocking comeback — and this time, it's hitting a very different crowd. Since 1990, rates have increased by more than 63% globally, linked to rising obesity rates and more availability of rich foods. Around 8.3million Americans have gout. But while overweight, beer-drinking men in their fifties are still most at risk, a new high risk group has emerged. A growing number of young, seemingly healthy women have spoken out about how they have been left crippled by the ailment, with searing pain and swollen joints. Gout is a form of inflammatory arthritis caused by a buildup of uric acid in the body. This excess forms razor-sharp crystals that lodge in the joints, triggering sudden, intense pain — often in the big toe. The body releases uric acid when it breaks down certain foods like rich red and organ meat, seafood, alcohol and sugary drinks. Los Angeles based actress Avery Norris also is not a typically candidate for gout, with a slim physique and active lifestyle. She got the condition when she was 22 years old Your browser does not support iframes. So what's behind the mysterious surge in young women getting a disease that once plagued the palace? Dr Heather Viola, an internist at Mount Sinai in New York, says the rise is 'multifactorial', blaming modern diet and lifestyle shifts. 'More people than ever consume high amounts of sugary drinks like soda and juice sweetened with high-fructose corn syrup,' she tells 'These sugars increase uric acid production, a key player in gout.' Add to that the Western diet's love for red meat, seafood, and processed food, and you have a perfect storm. Dr Viola says that hormonal changes also put women at greater risk of gout. During menopause estrogen levels decline. 'This hormone plays a protective role by enhancing excretion of uric acid through the kidneys, so with less of it to play with, there's more chances of gout occurring,' she explains. One study found that women who have never given birth or been pregnant have double the odds of reaching the menopause before the age of 40, compared to those who have been pregnant. With more and more women in the US saying no to motherhood, there could be a link between more women experiencing early menopause and a growth in those contracting gout. Rising rates of obesity among young adults also interfere with how the body handles uric acid. Samantha Pearlman, a realtor from Atlanta, says she was blindsided when she was diagnosed with gout at 40. Mary Fran Emerson from Atlanta is another young woman battling gout and she joked that she asked her husband to chop her foot off because the pain was so intense Samantha Pearlman, a realtor from Atlanta, says she was shocked when she was diagnosed with the condition at 40 It started with shooting pain in her left toe one night. There was no injury, no bite, nothing obvious — but the pain was intense. At urgent care, she was told it was gout. In a TikTok video, she admitted: 'I guess I feel ignorant because I didn't even think about gout... no sign of injury, nothing with the toenail, no signs of a bite... It's one sided, not the other.' She was given a steroid shot and prescription meds — but also a new reality to face. 'I feel kind of silly,' she says. 'I didn't even know gout was a thing anymore. 'I feel like the little bit I learned about gout when I was younger was that it was like an old-time disease... from like 75 to 100 years ago. 'I'm not the typical patient… it's usually middle-aged men with a horrible diet, who drink a lot of beer and are overweight and that's clearly not me.' 'I'm not even overweight anymore. I recently lost 75 pounds and I eat fairly healthy. So I don't even know how I got gout to be honest with you.' Los Angeles-based actress Avery Norris was just 22 when she was diagnosed — also far from the stereotypical patient. She lives a healthy lifestyle and maintains a slim figure. But she also has type 2 diabetes, which studies show increases gout risk due to insulin resistance and higher uric acid levels. When a flare hits, she says she's down for one to two weeks and often unable to walk. To manage the condition, she takes medication and avoids red meat. Meanwhile, Mary Fran Emerson from Atlanta says her gout pain was so unbearable at one point she joked about asking her husband to chop her foot off. She doesn't drink heavily, eats well, and still couldn't believe her diagnosis. Dr Heather Viola, who is based out of Mount Sinai in New York, told that the spike among young women is 'multifactorial'. She says sugary soda is one factor to blame, along with the rise of processed foods While the big toe is still the most common target, Dr Viola says gout can strike ankles, knees, fingers, wrists, and elbows, and sometimes multiple joints at once. 'It may become chronic, leading to long-term joint damage if untreated… the pain and inflammation can be intense and debilitating.' Attacks usually peak within 12 to 24 hours, and can leave patients barely able to walk. Anti-inflammatory drug can be prescribed to help lessen the symptoms, while steroid injections offer rapid pain relief. To reduce risk, experts advise cutting back on sugary drinks and processed foods — and keeping a healthy weight. Because these days, gout doesn't care what you look like — and even the fittest bodies aren't immune to the 'disease of kings.'
