Five Signs Of Magnesium Deficiency

One of the most overlooked and undiagnosed problems is magnesium deficiency. This is also commonly called hypomagnesemia. According to studies, approximately 75 percent of Americans do not consume sufficient magnesium daily. Magnesium deficiency is so common that, in most cases, it goes undiagnosed. This is mainly because the signs are not paid attention to till magnesium levels in the body become dangerously low.

There are loads of causes of magnesium deficiency. These differ from a lack of a healthy diet to a loss of magnesium. Magnesium deficiency can lead to several health problems, such as diabetes, diarrhea, celiac disease, and hungry-bone syndrome. Those who consume alcohol daily are also more prone to suffer from a lack of magnesium in their bodies.

Here are some common signs of magnesium deficiency:

Muscle Cramps And Twitching

The most evident signs of magnesium deficiency include twitches, muscle cramps, and tremors. If not paid attention to, it can also lead to seizures and convulsions. According to research, this is caused when there is a lot of calcium flowing into the nerve cells. The muscle nerves are hyped up or excited, leading to seizures.

Even though magnesium supplements may help relieve symptoms, some studies show that supplements do not work on older adults who suffer from muscle cramps. This needs to be studied further. Moreover, some magnesium supplements may lead to side effects, such as motor neuron disease and neuromyotonic.

Even though twitches that occur occasionally can be ignored, pay attention to the symptoms. In case you notice them often, visit your doctor.

Mental Health Disorders

For some, mental health can be affected because of a deficiency of magnesium in the body. A lack of magnesium may lead to apathy. Apathy is when an individual feels numb mentally. He does not feel any emotion, whether sadness or happiness. If magnesium deficiency is not paid attention to, it could cause an individual to slip into a coma as well.

According to observational research, low magnesium levels make an individual more vulnerable to falling prey to depression. Even though there is not enough evidence, some studies also suggest that this can lead to chronic anxiety disorders. There was one study that proved that magnesium supplements could help reduce symptoms of anxiety in individuals. However, more studies need to be conducted to prove this.

Overall, magnesium deficiency causes nerve dysfunction and affects the mental health of people. Hence, if you find yourself on edge often or suffer from insomnia, getting your vitamin levels checked is recommended.

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a disorder that leads to weak bones in the body. Moreover, it increases the likelihood of bone fractures. There are several things that can lead to the development of osteoporosis:

• Growing older
• Not exercising regularly
• A poor diet that lacks the regular use of vitamin D and K.

It is interesting to note that magnesium deficiency can also lead to osteoporosis. It may lead to weaker bones while reducing the calcium levels found in the body. Without calcium, the bones in the body are left vulnerable and prone to fractures. Some studies on rats show that magnesium depletion occurs in the body when bone mass is reduced. Even though no studies have been conducted on humans, we can correlate low magnesium intake with low bone mineral density.

Muscle Weakness And Fatigue

Fatigue is referred to when an individual feels mentally or physically exhausted. Fatigue can also manifest in the form of weakness. This can be a result of a deficiency of magnesium in the body. However, it must be kept in mind that fatigue is usual. You may feel it on some days when you do not eat properly, sleep well, or have had an exhausting day at work. However, if you feel tired all the time, you may need to go to the doctor. Chronic fatigue can also be an indication of a heart problem.

Another symptom of a lack of magnesium is muscle weakness. This is also commonly called myasthenia. According to studies, when potassium diminishes in the body, weakness is felt. This also leads to magnesium deficiency. It can be concluded that if you feel tired or weak very often and think that your lifestyle is relatively active, you may have a lack of magnesium in your body.

High Blood Pressure

Studies conducted on animals show that blood pressure starts to rise when there is low magnesium in the body. This leads to high blood pressure problems, like stroke or heart attack. Even though not enough studies have been conducted on human beings, many observational studies have taken place. These show that when magnesium levels fall or do not consume proper food, blood pressure rises. Evidence can be seen from controlled studies that have been conducted. Many scientists have concluded that magnesium supplements help reduce blood pressure levels in the body. This is especially true in adults.

To conclude, a lack of magnesium leads to high blood pressure. This puts an individual at risk for heart disease. Hence, it is important to deal with magnesium deficiency. If you feel any of these symptoms daily, it is best to pay more attention to your health and give your doctor a visit. Oftentimes, our bodies are trying to tell us things, but we choose to ignore them. Magnesium deficiency should never be ignored as it can lead to severe complications. It is always better to stay safe than sorry!