14 Magnesium Deficiency Symptoms You Need to know

Magnesium Deficiency Symptoms: These signs show that You Are Magnesium deficient. Have you been experiencing muscle cramps, restless legs, and sleep problems? If your answer is Yes, then this is due to your body being deficient in magnesium.

Magnesium is crucial for over 300 different bodily functions within your body. But unfortunately, Magnesium deficiency is something that many people suffer from without even knowing it because it’s not enough discussion about it.

More than 75% of the U.S. population suffers from magnesium deficiencies. A lack of magnesium minerals can disrupt many bodily processes and can cause you to struggle with issues like sleep, energy, metabolism, stress, and pain.

If magnesium deficiency continues, it increases your risk for osteoporosis, diabetes, heart disease, depression, and arthritis.

Here we’re going to talk about the top 14 signs that indicate your body needs more magnesium. This information will help you to diagnose this condition at an early stage. Be sure to watch until the end, because there may be a few things you’ve probably never heard of before.

Along with that, I’ll also share – What causes magnesium deficiency? And How to overcome magnesium deficiency?  So if you’re ready, let’s get started.

What Is Magnesium?

Magnesium is a mineral that requires lots of attention. It is the fourth most important mineral in the body and is essential for many bodily functions. It is a co-factor in more than 300 enzymatic reactions in the body.

Magnesium is involved in everything from protein synthesis to muscle relaxation, energy production, nerve signal transmission, bone metabolism, and nutrient metabolism. But, magnesium is not as popular as other minerals like calcium and iron.

Magnesium is found primarily in bone, but also in other tissues, including red blood cells. It exists in multiple forms within the body, and each form has a different role to play.

A complex of magnesium-dependent enzymes is responsible for converting the energy from food into ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the body’s chief source of energy.

Another mechanism by which magnesium is vital to human health is its calming effect on muscle contractions and brain activity; almost all muscle and nerve cells require magnesium. Every biochemical reaction that requires any sort of energy input depends on magnesium, making it necessary for life itself.

Still, it’s very important for your body.

Since it is present in so many bodily systems and functions, a wide variety of problems can result from magnesium deficiency.

Symptoms of Magnesium Deficiency

For your reference, here are some early warning signs, that show you are not getting enough magnesium.

Muscle Weakness.

An early symptom of magnesium deficiency is muscle weakness. As the body starts running out of energy, the muscles keep trying to contract, but cannot continue doing so effectively.  This can lead to cramps and spasms in addition to weakness.

Headaches.

Another possible sign of low magnesium levels is headaches.  This can occur for a number of reasons, but getting more magnesium is often the easiest solution.

Insomnia, or Trouble in Sleep.

Magnesium also regulates the neurotransmitter GABA, which is a melatonin hormone, that calms down nerve activity, and guides the sleep and wake cycle. A low level of this mineral can cause interrupted hormone function, and which may disturb sleep patterns.

Anxiety and Panic Attacks.

Lack of magnesium can lead to feelings of anxiety and panic attacks.  This is due in part to low blood pressure associated with early stages of magnesium deficiency,

But it may also be related to the fact, that the brain needs sufficient magnesium levels for serotonin production.

Irregular heartbeat.

Irregular heartbeat, or Heart Arrhythmia, is among the most serious symptoms when you are magnesium deficient.

Magnesium helps regulate heart rhythm, so low levels of magnesium might cause an irregular heartbeat.  This makes you more susceptible to a stroke, or heart failure.

Osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis can lead to fractures and breaks in bones due to their decreased density, making them more likely to break under pressure or weight.

This is due in part to the actions of the parathyroid hormone, which increases bone resorption.

Magnesium deficiency can lead to increased secretion of parathyroid hormone, which accelerates osteoporosis symptoms.

Seizures.

Severe magnesium deficiency can cause seizures in some individuals.  This typically occurs when there are very low levels of magnesium in the body.

Brain Fog and Dementia

One of the most dangerous signs of severe magnesium deficiency is a loss of cognitive function.  This can cause brain fog and lead to dementia, making it difficult for individuals to think clearly, or remember information.  In extreme cases, this can lead to permanent brain damage too.

Diarrhea

One of the first symptoms of magnesium deficiency is diarrhea.  This may be accompanied by nausea and abdominal cramps, as well as a loss of appetite.  The diaphragm can also spasm during this time.

Anorexia

Nausea and vomiting are two very common symptoms that lead to anorexia.  This can compound magnesium deficiency symptoms, as lack of food intake leads to more serious problems.

Depression

Lack of energy is one of the most common early signs of magnesium deficiency, which along with other biochemical changes, can lead to feelings of depression.  The emotional aspects are difficult for some individuals to handle, leading to further depression and anxiety.

Cramps and Spasms.

As muscles continue sending distress signals to the brain, they can start cramping up as a protective mechanism.

This is due in part to inadequate amounts of adenosine triphosphate and other metabolites necessary for muscle function.

Cramps and spasms may also manifest themselves as a result of other conditions, including low blood sugar and hormonal imbalances.

Fatigue.

One of the most common symptoms of magnesium deficiency is fatigue.  This can manifest itself physically through muscle weakness, or emotionally through depression and anxiety.

Heart Palpitations.

Low levels of magnesium in the body can cause heart palpitations and other irregular heart rhythms. This makes you more susceptible to a stroke or heart failure.

These are the important symptoms of magnesium deficiency that everyone should know.

Now let’s see,

How much magnesium you should be consumed?

The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for magnesium is 420 mg per day for adult men and 320 mg per day for adult women.

You should increase your intake during pregnancy, lactation, fever, or strenuous exercise

because these conditions increase magnesium loss through sweat or urination.

what causes magnesium deficiency?

The reason behind low magnesium is due to decreased absorption of magnesium in the gut,  or increased excretion of magnesium in the urine.

Further, due to industrialized agriculture, the nutrients of the soil are also depleted, where we have grown our fruits, vegetables, and grains.

That’s why our foods are also deficient in minerals. At the same time, we eat lots of processed foods, that further decrease many important nutrients, including magnesium.

How do you get magnesium?

You get magnesium naturally in many foods. Some good sources of magnesium include leafy green vegetables such as spinach and kale, beans and lentils, whole grains, dairy products, nuts, and seeds.

If you are eating a well-balanced diet, taking care of yourself by getting enough sleep, staying hydrated, and exercising regularly, then chances are you’re already getting enough magnesium without supplements.

However, if your lifestyle isn’t supportive of good health, you may consider taking a magnesium supplement, which is available in pill, or liquid form.

Natural Vitality Calm #1 Selling Magnesium Citrate Supplement, Anti-Stress Magnesium Supplement Drink Mix Powder-

These can be found at most local pharmacies, health food stores, and online retailers.

Conclusion

If you are experiencing any of these signs, it is important to consult with a medical professional. Magnesium deficiency can be difficult for some people to detect because the symptoms often mimic other conditions or illnesses. Many healthcare providers will only test blood levels if they suspect magnesium deficiency is an underlying cause of your condition. However, there are ways that you can check on your own by looking at the following list of 14 common signs and symptoms of magnesium deficiency below. Do you have any? Is this something worth investigating?