Top 6 Signs of Magnesium Deficiency

Magnesium is a mineral used by the body for more than 600 bodily processes, including metabolism, muscle contraction, and DNA creation. It is instrumental in creating and maintaining healthy bones in the body. Magnesium helps regulate blood glucose levels and blood pressure and maintain healthy heart and brain function. In the digestive tract, magnesium aids in moving stool through the intestinal tract and neutralizing excess stomach acid. Although magnesium is essential for many functions in the body, most American adults do not get the recommended amount of magnesium. A magnesium deficiency, also referred to as hypomagnesemia, has been linked to several health issues. Common signs of magnesium deficiency include depression, heart disease, high blood pressure, and weakness. Unfortunately, a magnesium deficiency can go undiagnosed until an individual’s magnesium levels become extremely low.

What Causes Magnesium Deficiency?

Several different things can cause magnesium deficiency. A poor diet or starvation can result in low magnesium serum levels. Certain medications like proton pump inhibitors and chemotherapy can also cause reduced amounts of magnesium in the body. Digestive issues like Crohn’s disease, chronic diarrhea, poor absorption, and celiac disease can result in hypomagnesemia. Type 2 diabetes, kidney issues, and long-term use of diuretics, acid reflux medication, and ulcer medications can also be to blame. Finally, low magnesium levels can be caused by gastric bypass surgery or by long-term alcohol abuse.

Getting Magnesium Deficiency Diagnosis

Many people unknowingly have magnesium levels lower than the recommended amount. When magnesium levels begin to decline, there may initially be no symptoms, or the symptoms may be associated with many other health problems.

However, your doctor may want to check your magnesium levels if you have symptoms. The first signs of low magnesium include unrelenting fatigue, nausea, weakness, loss of appetite, muscle spasms, and weakness. When left untreated, low magnesium can lead to abnormal heart rhythms, numbness, tingling, seizures, and personality changes. Finally, low potassium or calcium levels can indicate decreased magnesium levels.

Understanding Signs of Magnesium Deficiency

The signs and symptoms of magnesium deficiency are nonspecific, which can delay diagnosis. Many of these signs occur with other medical conditions and nutritional deficiencies. Understanding the signs of magnesium deficiency can help you seek medical assistance.

If you experience any of the following magnesium deficiency signs, contact your doctor. At your appointment, mention your symptoms, the length of time they have occurred, and any other pertinent information like other medical conditions, supplements and medications you are taking, and your diet.

1. Asthma

Individuals with severe asthma may have a magnesium deficiency. Studies have shown that people with asthma tend to have lower magnesium levels in their bodies than those without this medical condition. Hypomagnesemia allows calcium to build up in the muscle lining of the airways in the lungs, which causes the airways to constrict, resulting in breathing difficulties.

An inhaler containing magnesium sulfate can help relax the airways and expand them. If the inhaler does not help during an asthma attack, the patient may get an injection for quick relief. If you have developed asthma or your asthma has gotten worse, talk with your doctor.

If you are diagnosed with low magnesium levels, your doctor may prescribe a magnesium-enriched inhaler and magnesium supplements. To help improve your lung health, eat foods that contain magnesium.

2. Decreased Brain Health

Magnesium is essential for brain development, learning, and various mental health issues. The brain needs magnesium for short-term and long-term memory. Magnesium also helps regulate cortisol in the body to reduce the effects of stress on the brain. When you have a deficiency, inflammation in the brain stem can occur, causing memory issues, Alzheimer’s disease, and migraine headaches.

Hypomagnesemia is associated with several mental health issues, such as apathy (lack of emotion or mental numbness), depression, irritability, and anxiety. Suicidal ideation and depression can occur if your magnesium levels are low. If the deficiency is allowed to worsen, sufferers may experience delirium or coma.

A magnesium deficiency can impact all areas of the brain. If you are experiencing any of the abovementioned issues, talk with your doctor and ask if it might be a magnesium deficiency. Adding brain-boosting magnesium-rich foods to your diet and supplementation may improve your mood or memory.

3. Heart Problems

When your body is deficient in magnesium, every organ, including your heart, can be affected. Low magnesium levels increase the risk of heart arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats). The symptoms of heart arrhythmia can range from no symptoms to several severe symptoms. You may experience heart palpitations, chest pain, dizziness, fainting, fatigue, lightheadedness, and shortness of breath. Heart arrhythmias can also increase the risk of heart failure and stroke. Finally, low magnesium levels are also associated with high blood pressure, which can increase the risk of developing heart disease.

Scientists think low magnesium levels can result in imbalanced potassium levels inside and outside the heart. Furthermore, hypomagnesemia can cause increased blood pressure to rise, which increases the risk of a variety of cardiovascular issues, including heart disease and stroke.

Eating a heart-healthy diet that includes magnesium-rich foods, stress relief techniques, and daily exercise will improve your heart health.

4. Muscle Spasms

Muscle cramps, tremors, and twitches can all be signs of hypomagnesemia. If left untreated, the deficiency can lead to convulsions and seizures. Researchers believe this occurs when too much calcium flows into the nerve cells, which hyperstimulates the nerves.

However, muscle twitches, tremors, and cramps can be due to excess caffeine consumption, stress, medication side effects, and neuromuscular diseases like multiple sclerosis and muscular dystrophy. Although you may occasionally experience muscle twitches or cramps, you should see your doctor if you experience them often.

Incorporating foods containing large amounts of magnesium and taking a vitamin and mineral supplement can help improve muscle and nerve health. If you are experiencing muscle twitches, cramps (Charley horses), or tremors, increase your magnesium consumption and see if it helps. Other common causes for muscle cramps include dehydration, low potassium, and overuse.

5. Sleep Problems

Individuals around the world suffer from poor sleep or insomnia. Magnesium binds with the receptors in your brain, which are responsible for calming nerve activity down. When you do not have enough magnesium, you may be unable to relax and calm your mind.

The nervous system uses magnesium, and the nervous system controls your sleep. If you do not get ample magnesium, you may not be getting a whole night’s sleep. Low magnesium levels can result in restless leg syndrome and insomnia. Taking a magnesium supplement may help improve sleep duration and quality.

Magnesium supplementation also increases the natural circulation of melatonin, helping people fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. Taking a supplement before bed can improve sleep habits and relieve various sleep problems.

6. Weakness and Fatigue

Fatigue is unrelenting mental or physical exhaustion that is not relieved with rest. You should immediately see your doctor if you experience persistent or severe fatigue. It is a nonspecific symptom that can signify various health issues.

A mineral deficiency often leads to weakness and fatigue. For example, a magnesium deficiency can reduce the amount of potassium in the cells of your muscles, leading to weakness and fatigue. When the body does not have enough magnesium or potassium, its electrolytes can become imbalanced, resulting in dehydration, fatigue, and weakness.

Treating Low Magnesium Levels

If you are diagnosed with lower-than-normal magnesium levels, take heart! Getting your levels back to normal is not difficult; however, if you have a malabsorption issue or suffer from chronic diarrhea, it can take longer for this to happen.

Your first line of defense should be eating a diet rich in magnesium. Some of the top sources of magnesium include:
• Almonds
• Beans
• Cashews
• Chia seeds
• Cocoa
• Coffee
• Dark chocolate
• Flaxseed
• Green leafy vegetables
• Hazelnuts
• Legumes
• Lentils
• Oats
• Peanuts
• Popcorn
• Pumpkin seeds
• Sunflower seeds
• Yogurt

In addition to following a diet high in magnesium foods, you should take a magnesium supplement. One of the most common side effects of magnesium supplementation is diarrhea. Taking magnesium supplements, particularly magnesium citrate, increases the amount of water in your intestinal tract. You can counteract this effect by supplementing whole grains and fresh vegetables.

People with certain health conditions, such as kidney disease, should not use magnesium supplementation. Additionally, if you take proton pump inhibitors, diuretics, bisphosphonates, or antibiotics, you should speak with a doctor.

How Much Magnesium Should You Take?

The exact amount of magnesium you should take depends on your unique health. A functional doctor (https://rosewellness.com/) can help determine the amount of magnesium you should take. The amount can vary based on your overall health, diet, and any medical conditions you suffer from.

Minerals are essential to health. Getting ample magnesium and other minerals can help relieve many symptoms and prevent and treat chronic disease.