Why the hell is everyone in the country suddenly worried about magnesium deficiency??? [View all]

I've been in clinical practice for fifteen years. I've had a lot of patients worry about a lot of things that, in the greater medical scheme of things, are really inconsequential or otherwise nothing to worry about. But it wasn't until I started with my new employer in January that I suddenly started having huge numbers of patients either taking magnesium supplements, asking for me to draw a magnesium level, or following up with me after another provider ordered a magnesium level.

Seems like everyone is terrified that they are magnesium-deficient now.

In nearly every case I can think of, the patient's magnesium level has been normal. When a patient asks me for a lab draw for magnesium, I tell them it won't cause any harm, but it's probably a waste of time and money. And sure enough, their level turns out to be normal.

Are there YouTubers and Tik-Tokkers out there imploring people to get their magnesium checked? Are they selling magnesium supplements? Did the vitamin supplement industry suddenly find itself with a glut of magnesium tablets that they need to unload?

Is magnesium deficiency the latest medical "fad" that everyone seems to think they have? And feel comfortable diagnosing themselves with?