Up to 80 Percent of Americans are Magnesium-Deficient

There is no lab test that will give an accurate read of the magnesium status in the tissues; Only one percent of magnesium in the body is distributed in the blood, making it highly inaccurate to measure. 
Science finds magnesium difficult to measure, partly because it is responsiblie for the correct metabilic function of over 350 enzymes in the body.Creation of ATP (adenosine triphospate) the energy molecules of the body, action of the heart muscle ,formation of bones and teeth, relaxation of blood vessels, and proper bowel function are all under the guidance of magnesium.

Magnesium supplements may help alleviate the conditions:

Anxiety and panic attacks, asthma, blood clots, bowel disease, cystitis, depression, detoxification, diabetes, Syndrome X, metaboilc syndrome, fatigue, heart disease, hypertension, hypoglycemia, insomia, kidney disease, liver disease, migrane, musuloskeletal conditions, nerve problems, obstetrics and gynecologoy, osteoporosis, Raynaud's Syndrome, and tooth decay.

Symptoms present in magnesium deficiency:

Muscle twitches, charlie horses, insomia or restless sleep, stress, back pain, headaches, cluster headaches, migraines, stiff and aching muschels, bones and joints needed continued chiropractic treament, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, PMS, constipation, angina, kidney stones, depression, heart attack, irregular heartbeat, attention deficit disorder, aggressive behavior, chronic fatigue syndrome, stroke, anxiety, confusion, muscle weakness, hiccups, high-strung, seizures

How to Get Enough

Adequate magnesium may be obtained in soil where green leafy nuts and seeds are grown . Organic foods may have more magnesium, but only if farmers replenish their soil with magnesium-rich fertilizers. If magnesium and other minerals and micronutrients are not introduced in the plants they may not  be packed with the nutrition we need. To obtain as much magnesium as possilbe in the diet, eat plenty of organic leafy green vegetables, nuts and seeds every day.  Add green drinks to your menu.  Most common sources of magnesium are oxide, citrate, chelate, and malate.  Magnesium malate has been used promoted for individuals with bromyalgia to break up lactic acid that occurs with fibromyalgia.

Calcium-to-Magnesium Ratio

When supplementing with magnesium, one must take into account the balance between calcium and magnesium. Many women are taking high doses of calcium for osteoporosis, which must be balanced with sufficient magnesium to reduce additional imbalance between the two minerals.To offset the deficiency magnesium induced by exceess calcium and treat symptoms of magnesium deficiency, people may find it necessary to ingest one part magesium to one part calcium in supplement form for a period of months to a year.

Source: Dr Carolyn Dean, carolyndean.com