How to Tell You’re Lacking Magnesium with Our IV Therapy Toronto Clinic

Magnesium is crucial for our wellness – but this deficiency is more common than most people realize! So, how do you know if you’re low in magnesium? And why should you care about this? In this fact sheet, the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre’s IV Lounge discusses: 

• The key indicators for magnesium deficiency; 
• Why it’s necessary to treat it;
• And how functional testing and personalized treatments can restore nutrient levels. 

Magnesium deficiency signs to note

Magnesium is involved in several body processes, so deficiency symptoms can initially be subtle. But over time, they may escalate and influence overall functioning. Some of the common signs of this deficiency are: 

• Fatigue and low energy: Magnesium is crucial for producing ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the body’s main cellular energy source. Without it, you can feel sluggish or unable to recover from physical activity.
• Muscle cramping or twitching: The mineral supports muscle relaxation, and lacking it can cause spasms, restless legs, or nighttime cramping.
• Headaches or migraines: Magnesium also assists with regulating nerve signaling, which is why its deficiency is often linked to migraines.
• Anxiety and irritability: Low levels can negatively impact neurotransmitters like GABA and serotonin and can potentially cause mood swings. 
• Poor sleep: Magnesium promotes relaxation by calming the nervous system and regulating melatonin, the hormone tasked for sleeping.  
• Irregular heartbeat: Severe magnesium deficiency can alter cardiac rhythm and blood pressure control.
• Hormonal imbalances or worsened PMS & PMDD symptoms: Magnesium plays a role in hormone metabolism and may help with easing mood swings, cramping, and bloating.

Why this deficiency matters to you

From energy production and nerve function to muscle relaxation and immune function, magnesium supports over 300 biochemical reactions in the body! But here’s something to note – studies suggest that nearly 50% of North American adults aren’t getting enough magnesium from diet alone. 

This mineral deficiency doesn’t just make you feel tired or strained – it can set the tone for long-term health issues, contributing to chronic fatigue syndrome, anxiety, poor sleep, and hormonal imbalances. Thus, an ongoing magnesium deficiency can potentially lead to: 

• Heightened stress levels: Magnesium helps regulate cortisol, the stress hormone. Low levels of this mineral can boost fight-or-flight responses, increasing the stress load.
• Insulin resistance: Magnesium is essential for glucose metabolism; its deficiency increases the risk of metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes.
• Cardiovascular issues: Low magnesium is associated with high blood pressure, arrhythmia, and an increased risk for forming heart disease.
• Bone loss: Magnesium works alongside calcium and vitamin D to optimally support bone density.
• Hormonal imbalances: Women with magnesium deficiency may experience severe PMS, perimenopausal symptoms, or thyroid imbalances.

Bottom line – when magnesium is low, it gets trickier to maintain bodily homeostasis, which is why exhaustion, stress sensitivity, or slow recovery from illnesses may manifest. But here’s some good news – personalizing integrative functional medicine strategies can be beneficial for symptom relief and preventative support. 

Functional lab tests and personalized treatments to consider

Functional naturopathic and IV therapy providers aim to inspect the root cause of emotional tension, lack of sleep and weak muscle development – especially if conventional lab results continue to appear ‘normal’. Traditional labs may not be able to detect magnesium status beyond serum magnesium, which represents only about 1% of the body’s total stores. This means conventional lab reports can still be interpreted as ‘fine’ if you’re deficient at the cellular level.

To tailor therapeutic treatments, functional lab testing – which may include micronutrient panels, detailed gut health analysis, or scrutinizing organic acids – can provide insight into individualized needs, especially for understanding how your body is using magnesium. These tests don’t just detect deficiencies – they can disclose why these deficiencies might be occurring. For instance, gut health disruptions, high caffeine or alcohol intake, certain medications, or heavy workouts can deplete magnesium reserves. Hence, functional testing allows your practitioner to address underlying factors – not just the symptoms. 

At the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre, if you were diagnosed with a magnesium deficiency, our clinicians may personalize various treatment modalities, such as these:

• Targeted personalized supplementation: You may be advised to ingest bioavailable forms of magnesium, such as magnesium glycinate for relaxation or magnesium malate for energy support.
• Vitamin IV therapy: Our IV Lounge customizes intravenous magnesium doses to match your current needs. If you have malabsorption issues from a digestive condition (i.e. Crohn’s), IV drip therapies guarantee a complete absorption of nutrients, which may not always be the case with oral capsules, tablets, etc. 
• Vitamin injections: Vitamin D and magnesium are co-dependent. Vitamin D helps absorb magnesium, and magnesium helps process D in the body. If tests show you’re deficient in vitamin D, too, these injection doses can be tailored for your needs.  
• Gut health optimization: A healthy gut is helpful for efficiently absorbing minerals, including magnesium. Gut-related strategies may include eating additional fibre and leafy greens, taking probiotic supplements. and staying hydrated through the day. 
• Sleep modifications: Give your bedroom an honest review to help with you rest – sorry, that means removing tablets and keeping the TV turned off! Good-quality sleep can contribute to improving magnesium absorption. When you don’t get quality sleep, your body can experience added stress and higher cortisol levels. Elevated cortisol causes magnesium to be used quickly, which is concerning as magnesium regulates the stress response and calms the nervous system.

The treatments above may or may not apply to your health status, as therapeutic prescriptions are based on biological needs only. By opting for personalized care, you can enhance bodily resilience and support daily functioning. Let’s test your current nutrients levels to help pave your path towards health enhancements – if you’re ready, scroll down for our contact details to book a consult with our Toronto naturopathic doctor.

Revive your mind and body with the IV Lounge in Toronto

We invite you to visit our wellness sanctuary – an atmosphere where several health strategies that can be accustomed for your uniqueness. Treatment plans can be tailored for various health circumstances, especially for handling autoimmune diseases, anti-aging (i.e. upping collagen production), cellular regeneration, neurodegenerative conditions, hormone restoration, and athletic recovery. 

A variety of wellness therapies are available from us – we can integrate Western and naturopathic medicine, holistic nutrition, IV therapy treatments, plant-based remedies (Traditional Chinese Medicine, Amazonian, Ayurvedic), full-body cryotherapy, Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD+) optimization, and more. These are adapted with integrative functional medicine principles. For those struggling with depleted mineral levels, we often utilize IV therapy in Toronto for managing deficiencies such as low iron levels. These are adapted with integrative functional medicine principles. And, as our Toronto naturopathic doctor is proficient in pharmacognosy, we can combine modalities responsibly to avoid medication interactions. 

IV drip therapies are administered in our IV Lounge. On a daily basis, we blend IV formulas with natural ingredients – we do not use preservatives in our formulas! Our menu boasts plenty of IV therapy treatments, including the popular high C IV drip and Myers Cocktail therapies, vitamin E, several types of amino acids, and more. Keep in mind, IV therapy is not a standalone treatment and should not replace a balanced diet; it must be combined with a nourishing lifestyle (i.e. healthy eating and exercise) and other functional wellness therapies. 

Nutrient deficiencies can wreak havoc on pain and functioning – check out our lab testing services, complementary wellness therapies, and more to revive your nutrient levels! Simply click here to request your first consult with our Toronto IV therapy team.

Disclaimer: The information in this article is designed for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. This information should not be used to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting a doctor. You should always consult with a health care practitioner before relying on any information in this article or on this website. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified healthcare provider because of information you have read from the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre website or other affiliate media. 

References

Djokic, Gorica, et al. “The Effects of Magnesium – Melatonin – Vit B Complex Supplementation in Treatment of Insomnia.” Open Access Macedonian Journal of Medical Sciences, vol. 7, no. 18, 2019, p. 3101, https://doi.org/10.3889/oamjms.2019.771. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.

Facchinetti F, Borella P, Sances G, Fioroni L, Nappi RE, Genazzani AR. Oral magnesium successfully relieves premenstrual mood changes. Obstet Gynecol. 1991 Aug;78(2):177-81. PMID: 2067759.

Fritzen, Remi, et al. “Magnesium Deficiency and Cardiometabolic Disease.” Nutrients, vol. 15, no. 10, 2023, p. 2355, https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15102355. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.

Lima, Fabiana D. S., et al. “The Essential Role of Magnesium in Immunity and Gut Health: Impacts of Dietary Magnesium Restriction on Peritoneal Cells and Intestinal Microbiome.” Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology, vol. 88, 2025, p. 127604, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtemb.2025.127604. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.

Mahboobi S, Ghasvarian M, Ghaem H, Alipour H, Alipour S, Eftekhari MH. Effects of probiotic and magnesium co-supplementation on mood, cognition, intestinal barrier function and inflammation in individuals with obesity and depressed mood: A randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial. Front Nutr. 2022 Sep 28;9:1018357. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2022.1018357. PMID: 36245482; PMCID: PMC9555745.

Miller, Mira. “What to Take With Magnesium for Better Absorption and Results.” Verywell Health, 16 Oct. 2025, https://www.verywellhealth.com/5-supplements-to-take-with-magnesium-11825012.

Na HS, Ryu JH, Do SH. The role of magnesium in pain. In: Vink R, Nechifor M, editors. Magnesium in the Central Nervous System [Internet]. Adelaide (AU): University of Adelaide Press; 2011. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507245/

Onyeaka, Henry, et al. “Intravenous Magnesium for the Management of Chronic Pain:An Updated Review of the Literature.” Psychopharmacology Bulletin, vol. 54, no. 4, 2024, p. 81, https://doi.org/10.64719/pb.4504. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.

Pickering, Gisèle, et al. “Magnesium Status and Stress: The Vicious Circle Concept Revisited.” Nutrients, vol. 12, no. 12, 2020, p. 3672, https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12123672. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.

Schuster, Julius, et al. “Magnesium Bisglycinate Supplementation in Healthy Adults Reporting Poor Sleep: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial.” Nature and Science of Sleep, vol. 17, 2025, p. 2027, https://doi.org/10.2147/NSS.S524348. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.

Schutten, Joëlle C., Peter J. Joris, Isidor Minović, Adrian Post, André P. van Beek, Martin H. de Borst, Ronald P. Mensink, and Stephan J. L. Bakker. “Long-Term Magnesium Supplementation Improves Glucocorticoid Metabolism: A Post-Hoc Analysis of an Intervention Trial.” Clinical Endocrinology (Oxford), vol. 94, no. 2, Feb. 2021, pp. 150–157, doi:10.1111/cen.14350.

Workinger JL, Doyle RP, Bortz J. Challenges in the Diagnosis of Magnesium Status. Nutrients. 2018 Sep 1;10(9):1202. doi: 10.3390/nu10091202. PMID: 30200431; PMCID: PMC6163803.

Yablon LA, Mauskop A. Magnesium in headache. In: Vink R, Nechifor M, editors. Magnesium in the Central Nervous System [Internet]. Adelaide (AU): University of Adelaide Press; 2011. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507271/

Original article "Toronto Functional Medicine Centre – (416) 968-6961" first appeared in the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre website.

From Probiotics to Postbiotics: The Future of Gut Health with Toronto Functional Medicine

Our Toronto functional medicine providers aim to meet the demands of personalized patient care. One topic that our patients frequently learn about is gut health – this makes sense to us, as the microbiome can be foundational to overall wellness! 

From early probiotics to fecal microbiota transplants, this article explores the evolution of microbiome-based therapies. We also highlight the cutting-edge rise of postbiotics and what to expect from our functional medicine consultations. 

Early Promise (and Pitfalls) of Probiotics

Probiotics were discovered in the early 1900s by French chemist Louis Pasteur. These supplements were commercially launched in 1935; in 1953, a German bacteriologist named Werner Kollath titled these supplements as “probiotic”, which means “for life” from Latin and Greek derivatives. 

When the early 2000s arrived, countless studies were conducted to scrutinize the intricate interplay between probiotics and gut microbiota. As the field of microbiome research expanded, a critical realization emerged – not all probiotics work the same for everyone. 

Each individual’s microbiome is as unique as a fingerprint, meaning that generic probiotic formulas often yield inconsistent results. Findings have shown that, for some patients, probiotics can pass through the gut without colonizing or providing long-term benefit. In functional medicine clinics, healthcare providers began to see that high-dose, multi-strain probiotics were not a one-size-fits-all solution to digestive health concerns.

Fecal Microbiota Transplantation (FMT): A Paradigm Shift in Microbial Therapy

Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has dramatically shifted the narrative of gut health care, especially in 1958, when the first FMT procedure was conducted. 

Once considered fringe, FMT became mainstream following its success in treating recurrent C. difficile infections. This method — which involves transferring stool from a healthy donor into the patient’s colon — proved that microbial communities could reset the gut in profound ways. Along with treating C. difficile, scientists posit that FMT could influence obesity, aging, and immune function. These insights offer a new view of the microbiome — not just as a digestive “partner”, but as a systemic regulator that can impact brain health, inflammation, and hormonal balance.  

The Birth of Postbiotics

“Recently, scientific studies have been looking into FMT as a promising treatment of various diseases, while in the process teaching us about the interaction between the human host and its resident microbial communities.”

– Gut Microbes, 2017

When the COVID-19 pandemic halted FMT procedures, researchers and clinicians explored additional treatment options for gut optimization. One innovation involved autoclaving donor stool, creating a sterile preparation devoid of live microbes, yet rich in bacterial metabolites. The surprising success of this method pointed to a new frontier: postbiotics!

Postbiotics refer to the non-living byproducts or components of microbes — compounds such as short-chain fatty acids, peptides, and cell wall fragments —that interact with the host’s immune and metabolic systems. These molecules represent the “language” through which the microbiome communicates with the human body. Originally defined as heat-killed probiotic cells or their byproducts, postbiotics have now expanded to include any functional metabolite produced by gut microbes. These include butyrate (which helps fuel colon cells), indole propionic acid (to help tighten the gut barrier), and various immunomodulatory molecules that regulate inflammation and T-cell function. 

The potential synergy between postbiotics and the immune system is particularly exciting. In fact, research has shown that certain postbiotic molecules can enhance the efficacy of immunotherapy in cancer patients or reduce systemic inflammation.

Toronto area Functional medicine doctors are aware of postbiotics, and these may be inquired for targeting compromised immunity or a lack of tolerance to probiotics. Postbiotics can be integrated into treatment plans for chronic stress, irritable bowel syndrome, chronic fatigue, or for managing an autoimmune condition. 

A New Era in Gut Health

A healthy microbiome is not just disease-free – it is diverse, resilient, and metabolically active, and an integrative treatment approach shows promise in supporting your natural healing process.

Postbiotics – while still emerging – brings together ancient wisdom and modern science. If you want to learn more about these or new strategies for targeting health concerns via the gut, our clinicians are proficient in adapting functional medicine therapies. Our gut health therapies can be integrated with conventional treatment methods, as well as psychotherapy, herbal supplementation, holistic nutrition, naturopathic medicine and homeopathic medicine. 

Suggested reading: Understanding the Risks for Mold Exposures: A Functional Medicine Toronto Discussion

What to Expect from our Functional Medicine Consultations

If you need to take control of your health status, we can help you investigate unique ways to tackle your health challenges. 

Our comprehensive approach to healthcare can be accessed in the Yorkville neighbourhood in Toronto. When you first join our clinic as a new patient, an initial consultation is mandated and it may be conducted in-person or virtually. Here’s what we’ll discuss at your first appointment: 

• What your health goals are (i.e. improving stress management or tissue repair for sports)
• Lifestyle factors (i.e. diet, exercise, smoking status, etc.)
• Potential exposures to environmental toxins (i.e. BPA from plastics)
• Medical history
• Genetic factors
• Laboratory testing, which may be advised to further understand your unique microbiome, nutrient deficiencies, food sensitivities, etc. 

Our clinicians can also prescribe intravenous therapy for adjuvant measures, and these treatments are administered in our IV Lounge. We do not blend IV drips with preservatives – we only use fresh ingredients! Each drip session is supervised by our wellness team, which includes naturopathic doctors, nurse practitioners and registered nurses. Combining IV therapy with healthy lifestyle modifications and additional treatment modalities may be beneficial for supporting optimal health outcomes. We take a personalized approach to IV dosages, which means that we prescribe drip treatments for your biology only. 

Customized treatment plans can target your current health needs for the mind and body. If you need motivation to work towards your health goals, we’ve got your back! Simply contact the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre now to request an appointment.

Disclaimer: The information in this article is designed for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. This information should not be used to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting a doctor. You should always consult with a health care practitioner before relying on any information in this article or on this website. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified healthcare provider because of information you have read from the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre website or other affiliate media. 

References

Baruch, E. N., et al. (2021). Fecal microbiota transplant promotes response in immunotherapy-refractory melanoma patients. Science, 371(6529), 602–609.

Campbell, C., et al. (2020). Bacterial metabolism of bile acids promotes generation of peripheral regulatory T cells. Nature, 581(7809), 475–479.

Davar, D., et al. (2021). Fecal microbiota transplant overcomes resistance to anti–PD-1 therapy in melanoma patients. Science, 371(6529), 595–602.

de Groot PF, Frissen MN, de Clercq NC, Nieuwdorp M. Fecal microbiota transplantation in metabolic syndrome: History, present and future. Gut Microbes. 2017 May 4;8(3):253-267. doi: 10.1080/19490976.2017.1293224. Epub 2017 Feb 27. PMID: 28609252; PMCID: PMC5479392.

“Fecal Microbiota Transplants (FMT): Past, Present and Future” from the American Society for Microbiology, posted February 9, 2024, viewed on May 30, 2025. 

Frissen, M N., and M Nieuwdorp. “Fecal Microbiota Transplantation in Metabolic Syndrome: History, Present and Future.” Gut Microbes, vol. 8, no. 3, 2017, p. 253, https://doi.org/10.1080/19490976.2017.1293224. Accessed 30 May 2025.

Gasbarrini, Giovanni MD, PhD*; Bonvicini, Fiorenza MD†; Gramenzi, Annagiulia MD†. Probiotics History. Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology 50():p S116-S119, November/December 2016. | DOI: 10.1097/MCG.0000000000000697

Khoruts, A., et al. (2019). The promise and challenges of microbiome-based therapies. The Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics, 47(4), 482–504.

Latif, Anam, et al. “Probiotics: Mechanism of Action, Health Benefits and Their Application in Food Industries.” Frontiers in Microbiology, vol. 14, 2023, p. 1216674, https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2023.1216674. Accessed 30 May 2025.

Parker, A., et al. (2022). Fecal microbiota transfer between young and aged mice reverses hallmarks of the aging gut, eye, and brain. Microbiome, 10, 68.

Ridaura, V. K., et al. (2013). Gut microbiota from twins discordant for obesity modulate metabolism in mice. Science, 341(6150), 1241214.

Salminen, S., et al. (2021). Definition of postbiotics: A consensus report of the ISAPP. Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology, 18(9), 649–667.

Suez, J., et al. (2018). Post-antibiotic gut mucosal microbiome reconstitution is impaired by probiotics and improved by autologous FMT. Cell, 174(6), 1406–1423.e16.

Zmora, N., et al. (2018). Personalized gut mucosal colonization resistance to empiric probiotics. Cell, 174(6), 1388-1405.e21.

Original article "Toronto Functional Medicine Centre – (416) 968-6961" first appeared in the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre website.