Magnesium is an important mineral that affects many processes in the body but many people are magnesium deficient and don't even know it.
Low magnesium levels are often associated with other health conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or chronic pain.
In this blog post we will explore 10 signs that indicate magnesium deficiency so that you know when it's time to add magnesium into your lifestyle!
1. A lack of appetite can be attributed to many reasons, but one that's more common than you might think is magnesium deficiency.
One of the earliest signs of magnesium deficiency is a loss of appetite. This is because magnesium affects the digestive system and without magnesium many people experience cramping or lack of bowel movements which can lead to nausea and ultimately a loss of appetite.
2. Low levels of magnesium can cause mood swings, irritability and depression.
Inadequate amounts of magnesium in our bodies also negatively impacts our moods! Magnesium helps regulate serotonin in the brain so when we're low on magnesium we can experience symptoms such as anxiety, and even mood swings.
In fact, studies show that magnesium deficiency plays a significant role in people who suffer from depression as it plays a crucial part in neurological health!
Magnesium also helps regulate dopamine, which is why a deficiency in this mineral can cause low motivation.
3. Your muscles feel tight and sore all the time.
Magnesium is essential for muscle relaxation and so magnesium deficiency can cause hyperactive muscles and muscle spasms! Muscle spasms are a sign that your magnesium levels are low.
Muscle cramps and tightness also indicate magnesium deficiency as well as restless leg syndrome at night or twitching of the eyelids during the day. If you experience these symptoms regularly it may be a magnesium deficiency.
4. You have trouble focusing and remembering things.
Studies show magnesium is critical in maintaining memory and focus! A magnesium deficiency can cause confusion, poor concentration and brain fog,
Specialised structures in most of our cells (mitochondria) convert food molecules into energy that our body can then use so it's clearly incredibly important!
Mitochondria require magnesium to function so if there's not an adequate amount our brain function is severely impacted. Therefore, increasing your magnesium intake will boost your memory and brain competence.
5. You get headaches often.
Magnesium is critical in preventing headaches and migraines! If magnesium deficiency has gone on for long enough it can trigger chronic or severe pain like headaches.
This is because magnesium helps regulate the natural function of your body's endorphins, which are responsible for relieving pain. A magnesium deficiency actually prevents these endorphins from doing their job!
6. Trouble going to sleep and staying asleep.
If magnesium deficiency has gone on long enough it can cause insomnia as magnesium plays a key role in our natural sleep cycle.
Because magnesium is necessary for maintaining sufficient amounts of GABA (a neurotransmitter that supports sleep), not having enough magnesium can make it harder to fall asleep and to stay asleep.
Getting adequate amounts of magnesium promotes healthy and restorative sleep without waking up numerous times.
7. Nails are brittle, dry, or break easily.
Magnesium deficiency can cause dry and brittle nails and even hair loss! Magnesium is one of the numerous metals required for our nails to grow and so if we are lacking in this mineral, then our nail health is effected.
As we know, our hair is protein (keratin) and because magnesium is needed in protein synthesis, inadequate amounts cause hair to grow weaker and thinner. Not only this, but magnesium prevents hair fall out and our hair turning grey so it's an undeniable saviour!
8. Constipation and IBS.
Magnesium is paramount in maintaining our digestive system. Without magnesium the contractions of muscles in the intestines are not monitored and this frequently contributes to constipation.
Not only that but magnesium deficiency also affects our food absorption, causing undigested proteins to build up and cause further problems like cramping, IBS and gas! This is why magnesium provides outstanding aid for digestive disorders.
9. Irregular Heartbeat.
Similar to our other muscles, our heart is heavily dependent on magnesium for contractions and heart rhythm.
If magnesium levels are too low, this can cause arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat) where your body starts beating either faster or slower than it should. Plus, low magnesium levels can cause your heart rate and blood pressure to increase, so it's a invaluable mineral for your heart health!
10. Fatigue.
Remember the mitochondria we were talking about earlier that is responsible for supplying your body with energy? And that magnesium is highly involved in this process?
Well lack of concentration isn't the only symptom that arises from lack of magnesium - fatigue is too!
This is due to the fact magnesium helps create ATP (energy) in cells by converting food into energy which our body uses for all of its daily tasks! Low magnesium means less energy produced leading to low performance
Generally understood as mental or physical exhaustion, fatigue can effect everyone from time to time but if it's for a prolonged time then you might want to look at how much magnesium you are getting.
