Magnesium Deficiency Symptoms Explained

Do you feel nauseous without any particular reason? Perhaps you feel a low appetite or unexplained weakness? Well, all these things point towards magnesium deficiency. Statistics show that half of 11-18-year-old females and more than a quarter of 11-18-year-old males eat below the recommended intake of magnesium. To know more about the magnesium deficiency symptoms and tests, keep reading! 

What is Magnesium Deficiency? 

Magnesium deficiency occurs when your blood magnesium level is below the normal range of 1.46–1.8 mg/dL. It's also called hypomagnesemia, and it disrupts various chemical and physical processes in your body that convert or utilise energy. Here are some common causes behind this: 

• Gastrointestinal Diseases: GI diseases, including Celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, and chronic diarrhoea, can make magnesium absorption difficult, leading to deficiency. 
• Type 2 Diabetes: During Type 2 diabetes, your kidneys excrete more urine than normal due to a higher blood glucose concentration that causes magnesium loss. 
• Alcohol Intake: If you are someone who frequently consumes alcohol, you suffer from excessive urination, vomiting, poor diet, and liver issues, all of which cause hypomagnesemia. 
• Age: As you grow older, your body's magnesium absorption tends to decrease, which, combined with a lower intake of magnesium-rich foods, can result in a deficiency. 

Magnesium Deficiency Symptoms 

Now that you are aware of the causes of magnesium deficiency, let's explore the symptoms you'll encounter in this condition: 

Muscle Twitches and Cramps 

One of the major magnesium deficiency symptoms is muscle twitches and cramps. It happens because low magnesium increases calcium flow into nerve cells, which can overexcite or hyperstimulate them. Hence, you experience eyelid twitches, calf cramps, or even overall muscle weakness. 

Osteoporosis 

Do you know that around 50% to 60% magnesium is present in the skeleton, forming the bone mineral matrix and promoting strength? In hypomagnesemia, bones undergo resorption and low-grade inflammation, leading to osteoporosis. 

Mental Health Issues 

Around 1 in 4 people experience a mental health problem yearly in England. However, many people don't realise that this can be due to a lack of magnesium in the blood. 

Studies show that due to its role in neurological functioning, the deficiency triggers or worsens your anxiety, stress, irritability, and even psychosurgery. As per a Dove Medical Press study, the prevalence of depression was reported to be higher in patients with hypomagnesemia (60%) than in those with normal or elevated Mg levels.

Irregular Heartbeat 

Low magnesium levels can also cause irregular heartbeats by disrupting the electrical impulses that regulate the heart's rhythm. Your heart cells struggle to maintain the proper balance of magnesium and calcium, leading to palpitations and arrhythmias.

Studies show that, compared with placebo, magnesium sulfate supplements reduce the rate of ventricular arrhythmias by 12%.

How to Test for Magnesium Deficiency? 

To diagnose a deficiency of magnesium, you might undergo blood, urine, or red blood cell tests. Here's an overview:

• Blood Test: The doctor will draw a blood sample from a vein in the arm with a small needle and send it to the lab for testing. 
• Urine Test: Well, a magnesium urine test differs from the ordinary one, as it involves collecting your pee over 24 hours. The purpose is to conduct comprehensive testing as your magnesium levels fluctuate multiple times a day, depending on your diet.
• Magnesium EXA Test: In this, your doctor gently swipes the inside of your cheek to gather cells. They wipe them onto a test strip, which is then examined under an electron microscope. Since different minerals release different types of energies, you will get to know the right magnesium levels. 

Supplements and Diet Changes 

If you have magnesium deficiency symptoms, don't stress out. With the following supplements and dietary changes, you can easily restore the normal magnesium in your blood: 

• Dietary sources: Pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, almonds, cashews, leafy greens (spinach and Swiss chard), black beans, and avocados all contain magnesium. Adding these to your daily routine can increase magnesium levels while promoting overall health. 
• Supplements: However, if you want supplements, then magnesium glycinate, magnesium citrate, and magnesium malate are the right choices. They are gentle on the stomach and help relax your muscles for better rest. 

However, if you are unsure regarding the choice of supplement, you should consult a doctor. They will recommend the right type, dosage, and duration based on your age. 

Conclusion 

Magnesium deficiency can have adverse health effects if not addressed promptly. So why wait? Get in touch with HealthEssent today to get top-quality and certified supplements to relieve magnesium deficiency symptoms! All our products are non-GMO and preservative-free, providing you with the minerals you need.