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What symptom might indicate magnesium toxicity?

  1. Insomnia

  2. Increased heart rate

  3. Decreased reflexes

  4. Euphoria

The correct answer is: Decreased reflexes

Magnesium toxicity can manifest through various physical and neurological symptoms due to the mineral's crucial role in nerve function and muscle contraction. One significant indicator of magnesium toxicity is decreased reflexes. As magnesium levels rise excessively, it can lead to neuromuscular depression, which is characterized by reduced responsiveness in the reflexes. This can be attributed to magnesium's role in stabilizing neuronal excitability; an overload disrupts this balance, resulting in diminished reflex activity. In contrast, the other symptoms listed typically do not reflect magnesium toxicity. Insomnia and increased heart rate may relate to other health issues or different electrolyte imbalances, while euphoria is not a recognized symptom of elevated magnesium levels. Instead, the presence of decreased reflexes is a clear and clinically relevant symptom to watch for when considering potential magnesium toxicity.