Magnesium – sometimes called ‘the forgotten nutrient’ – is needed for over 600 different processes in the body, including cardiovascular, respiratory, musculoskeletal and neurological systems. Sometimes chronic magnesium deficiency is overlooked in clinical practice because there is no reliable test to diagnose it. Iron, calcium, potassium and sodium are routinely considered – and measures are often put in place to optimise levels – but magnesium may not be. This talk will cover what pharmacists need to know about magnesium, including examples of clinical scenarios where attention to magnesium has the potential to improve patient outcomes.

Lisa Jamieson, a pharmacist with over 25 years’ experience, did not learn much about magnesium during either her undergraduate pharmacy degree or her postgraduate MSc in clinical pharmacy. It was only covered in her education when she completed a nutritional medicine MSc. Since her personal experience of managing several long-term conditions with a nutritional approach, Lisa is now on a mission to try to educate others about how we can use nutrition to improve quality of life and health outcomes, and reduce the need for medication.

This talk will explore: 

• Magnesium requirements and why nutrient intake may be insufficient
• When to consider and how to spot a chronic magnesium deficiency, including options for management
• Why a focus on magnesium may help with management of some symptoms of long-term conditions, reduce the need for medication, and support deprescribing