Roughly half of Americans have a shortage of magnesium in their bodies, a condition known as hypomagnesemia. Despite its stealthy nature, this shortage can cause severe health problems.
Magnesium plays a crucial role in our bodies, supporting various functions and contributing to overall well-being. Its potent properties are believed to enhance our health significantly.
If you’re experiencing cramps, mood swings, or muscle stiffness, you may be lacking magnesium. Magnesium is involved in around 100 bodily processes and over 300 enzyme reactions. It’s a vital component of bone, brain, and muscle tissues, necessary for muscle relaxation, energy production, and organ function stimulation in body cells.
Symptoms of magnesium deficiency
Many individuals who experience magnesium deficiency are often unaware of it. Nevertheless, here are some prevalent symptoms associated with low magnesium levels:
- Anxiety and depression
- Muscle cramps and twitches
- ADD
- Angina
- Irritability
- Autism
- Asthma
- Insomnia
- Palpitations
- Sensitivity
- Chronic fatigue
- Migraines
- Kidney stones
- Fibromyalgia
- Reflux
- Obesity
- IBS
- Diabetes
- Irritable bladder
- Hypertension
- Osteoporosis
- PMS
- IBS
- Menstrual cramps
- Inflammation
- Mental disorders
- High blood pressure
Causes of magnesium deficiency
Magnesium deficiency can stem from various causes, spanning from the body’s loss of magnesium to inadequate dietary intake.
The majority of our diet, including items like white flour, dairy products, meat, processed foods, and refined products, lacks magnesium. Additionally, an inactive and unhealthy lifestyle can contribute to magnesium depletion. Furthermore, elevated consumption of alcohol, caffeine, antibiotics, salt, diuretics, excessive sweating, stress, and other factors can reduce magnesium levels in the body.
Health issues related to magnesium loss include poor absorption, diabetes, chronic diarrhea, bone syndrome, and celiac disease.
To avoid magnesium loss and begin replenishing it, you should:
- Discover activities that help you relax and unwind.
- Cut back on or avoid alcohol, soda, sugary foods, caffeine, and salt.
- Consult a healthcare professional to determine if any medications you’re taking contribute to magnesium depletion.
Magnesium-rich foods
To naturally boost your magnesium levels, incorporate foods that are rich in magnesium into your diet. Some examples include:
- Garlic
- Soybeans
- Barley
- Dandelion
- Kelp
- Wheat germ
- Beans
- Almonds
- Avocado
- Shrimp
- Cashews
- Figs
- Collard greens
- Dates
- Tofu
- Brown rice
- Walnuts
- Millet
- Dulse
- Rye
- Pumpkin seeds
- Dark chocolate
- Peanuts
- Popcorn
Magnesium is present in both animal and plant-based foods. While nuts and seeds are the most abundant sources, leafy green vegetables, beans, and grains also contain significant amounts of magnesium.
Magnesium deficiency is a prevalent health concern, often with subtle symptoms until levels drop significantly. It can lead to muscle cramps, fatigue, cognitive issues, elevated blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, and osteoporosis.
A straightforward blood test can confirm whether you have magnesium deficiency. It’s advisable to consult a doctor to explore potential underlying health issues.
