Magnesium is an essential element that performs several important tasks within your body. Because of this, maintaining good levels of magnesium is essential to your health.
Magnesium is used by your body in over 300 different biochemical reactions. It helps build bones, make energy, keep nerves working well, keep blood sugar levels steady, and power electrical activity in the heart and brain.
But what if you are lacking in magnesium? In this guide, we will discuss the most prevalent symptoms of magnesium insufficiency as well as some probable causes.
Are you suffering from magnesium deficiency?
A true deficiency is not common; nonetheless, many people, particularly young women, have low levels of magnesium in their bodies.
Diet is a major contributor, particularly if magnesium-rich foods are not consumed in sufficient quantities or if a person consumes a large quantity of processed food, which has frequently had its mineral levels depleted.
It is also thought that carbonated drinks may cause low magnesium as they contain phosphoric acid.
What are the most common symptoms of magnesium deficiency?
Twitches and muscle spasms
Frequent muscle cramping or twitching is one of the most prominent indications that magnesium levels in the body are deficient. In some severe cases, you may have seizures or convulsions.
This is because there is a large flow of calcium into the nerve cells. This then causes hyperstimulation in the muscle nerves and causes twitches and cramps.
Decline in mental health
There is a correlation between having low levels of magnesium and having issues with your mental health. Studies have shown that mild anxiety may be a symptom of magnesium deficiency, so if you have noticed you are feeling more anxious than normal, get your magnesium levels checked.
Weak bones
Magnesium levels may impact your bone health, and low levels of it could be a factor in osteoporosis. Osteoporosis can lead to weak bones and broken bones, so it's important to make sure you don't lack magnesium.
Weak muscles
Just like with your bones, a magnesium deficiency can cause weakness in muscles too. This is because there is not enough potassium getting to the muscle cells.
High blood pressure
Scientists have said that people with high blood pressure might benefit from taking magnesium supplements to help lower their blood pressure. In the same way, several studies done on animals showed that not getting enough magnesium led to high blood pressure.
Irregular heartbeat
Another indication of magnesium insufficiency is irregular heartbeats, which are also known as arrhythmias. This could show up in a doctor's office as skipped heartbeats or heart palpitations, which are caused by pauses between each heartbeat. This could cause a chain reaction that leads to symptoms like dizziness, fainting, or trouble breathing.
It is believed that an imbalance in the levels of potassium in and around the heart is the cause of this symptom of magnesium deficiency.
Asthma
A magnesium deficit has also been linked to asthma. Researchers have found that people with asthma have much less magnesium in their bodies than people who don't have asthma.
It is likely that this is because magnesium deficiency causes calcium to build up and block the airways in the lungs, making it harder to breathe.
Many patients with asthma are given an inhaler that contains magnesium. This helps their airways relax, which makes it easier to breathe.
Stomach issues
If your body does not have enough magnesium, you may experience stomach problems such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Even though these symptoms can be brought on by a wide number of conditions, it may be beneficial to get your magnesium levels examined to determine whether or not this is the root of the problem.
Low appetite
A loss of appetite is yet another sign of magnesium shortage that has been documented. So, if you have this symptom along with some of the other ones we've talked about, it might be a good idea to get your magnesium levels checked.
Conclusion
It is important to get checked out by a medical practitioner who can perform a blood test to determine your magnesium levels if you have any reason to believe that you may have a magnesium deficiency.
They will choose the most appropriate course of action if your deficiencies are serious. On the other hand, if you have a mild magnesium deficiency, which usually means you don't have any symptoms, they may tell you to take magnesium supplements to raise your levels and fight magnesium deficiency.