What Causes Low Magnesium? 15 Common Causes (You Should Know)

Digestive Disorder

A person with a digestive disorder might have trouble absorbing magnesium. For example, those with inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn’s disease, or ulcerative colitis may not be able to absorb the nutrients from their food properly. This is because inflammation in these conditions can cause damage to the colon and small intestine.

A lack of certain gut bacteria may also prevent proper nutrient absorption. For example, those with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) often have low levels of beneficial bacteria in their guts that help them digest food and absorb nutrients like magnesium properly. This can lead to symptoms like muscle cramps, fatigue, and insomnia.