Symptoms of magnesium deficiency

Magnesium is one of the less well-known minerals. It works with calcium, its more famous sidekick, in the proper functioning of many of our body's systems. Magnesium - known as nature's tranquilizer due to its relaxing effect on the nerves and muscles - plays a role in the body’s ability to keep your heart, kidneys, and muscles healthy. It regulates levels of other nutrients in the body, keeps blood pressure normal and is important for bone health. It is also needed for vitamin D assimilation.

You can have a deficiency if you don’t consume enough of the mineral in your diet or if your body does not absorb enough. This can happen if you consume too much alcohol and certain medications can also deplete your body’s magnesium. Many people may unknowingly have a deficiency and wonder why they are suffering from unexplained symptoms. 

Following are some of the possible warning signs of magnesium deficiency.

• Fatigue – While the causes of fatigue can be many, a magnesium deficiency is usually not the first culprit most doctors consider when addressing fatigue. Since magnesium helps produce and transport energy, an insufficient level can easily result in feeling tired and weak.
  
• Muscle spasms and cramps – While athletes often suffer from muscle cramps due to inadequate stretching, dehydration, over-exertion, and lack of proper diet, many others suffer from them and it can be difficult to know why and how to prevent them. In addition to increasing your magnesium intake, also consider increasing vitamins D, E and B complex to help prevent muscle cramps.
  
• Arrhythmia – Magnesium directly helps the body maintain a normal heart rhythm. Studies have shown that maintaining sufficient levels of magnesium may prevent some heart problems and diseases, including arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat).
  
• Dizziness – Low magnesium levels can give you feelings similar to vertigo, making you feel not only dizzy, but off balance. If you’re experiencing prolonged periods of dizziness, it could be a warning sign of magnesium deficiency.
  
• Nausea and vomiting – These symptoms may have numerous causes but again magnesium levels could be an unexpected cause, either because they are too high or too low.
• Numbness – Since magnesium impacts your nervous system, tingling and numbness can be a warning sign of deficiency. Chronically low levels of magnesium in the body can prevent nerve and muscle functions to act and react properly. It is most common to experience these symptoms in the face, feet and hands. Always check with your doctor to be sure that nothing more serious is the cause of any numbness.
  
• Mood changes – Unexplained confusion and irritability and periodic mood swings can be caused by low levels of magnesium, as can difficulty sleeping.
  
• Anxiety and panic attacks – Regular bouts of anxiety or panic may be caused by magnesium deficiency. Stress itself can cause depletion of this mineral resulting in a vicious cycle: Low magnesium causes anxiety and depletes your magnesium reserves during the attack.

If you experience any of these symptoms, consult your physician. And consider finding out if your magnesium levels are within the normal range. I recommend that you always ask for a copy of blood test results because each of us must be in control of our own health!