Source: www.justnaturallyhealthy.com/
Magnesium is arguably the most important mineral in the body. According to Dr. Norman Shealy"Every known illness is associated with a magnesium deficiency and it's the missing cure to many diseases." Not only does Magnesium help regulate calcium, potassium and sodium, but Magnesium (Mg) is essential for cellular health and is a critical component of over 300 biochemical functions in the body. Even glutathione, your body's most powerful antioxidant that has even been called "the master antioxidant," requires magnesium for its synthesis. Unfortunately, most people are not aware of this and millions suffer daily from magnesium deficiency without even knowing it.
Most Common Magnesium Deficiency Symptoms
Many people that are magnesium deficient may not even know it. But here are some key symptoms to look out for that could indicate if you are deficient:
Leg Cramps
70% of adults and 7% of children experience leg cramps on a regular basis. But leg cramps can more than a nuisance; they can also be downright excruciating! Because of magnesium's role in neuromuscular signals and muscle contraction, researchers have observed that magnesium deficiency is often to blame. More and more health care professionals are prescribing magnesium supplements to help their patients. Restless leg syndrome is another warning sign of a magnesium deficiency. To overcome both leg cramps and restless leg syndrome you will want to increase your intake of both magnesium and potassium.
70% of adults and 7% of children experience leg cramps on a regular basis. But leg cramps can more than a nuisance; they can also be downright excruciating! Because of magnesium's role in neuromuscular signals and muscle contraction, researchers have observed that magnesium deficiency is often to blame. More and more health care professionals are prescribing magnesium supplements to help their patients. Restless leg syndrome is another warning sign of a magnesium deficiency. To overcome both leg cramps and restless leg syndrome you will want to increase your intake of both magnesium and potassium.
Insomnia
Magnesium deficiency is often a precursor to sleep disorders such as anxiety, hyperactivity and restlessness. It has been suggested that this is because magnesium is vital for GABA function, an inhibitory neurotransmitter known to "calm" the brain and promote relaxation. Taking around 400mg of magnesium before bed or with dinner is the best time of day to take the supplement. Also, adding in magnesium rich foods during dinner like spinach may help.
Magnesium deficiency is often a precursor to sleep disorders such as anxiety, hyperactivity and restlessness. It has been suggested that this is because magnesium is vital for GABA function, an inhibitory neurotransmitter known to "calm" the brain and promote relaxation. Taking around 400mg of magnesium before bed or with dinner is the best time of day to take the supplement. Also, adding in magnesium rich foods during dinner like spinach may help.
Muscle Pain / Fibromyalgia
A study published in Magnesium Research examined the role magnesium plays in fibromyalgia, and uncovered that increasing magnesium consumption reduced pain and tenderness and also improved immune blood markers. Oftentimes linked to autoimmune disorders, this research should encourage fibromyalgia patients because it highlights the systemic effects that magnesium supplements have on the body.
A study published in Magnesium Research examined the role magnesium plays in fibromyalgia, and uncovered that increasing magnesium consumption reduced pain and tenderness and also improved immune blood markers. Oftentimes linked to autoimmune disorders, this research should encourage fibromyalgia patients because it highlights the systemic effects that magnesium supplements have on the body.
AnxietyAs magnesium deficiency can affect the central nervous system, more specifically the GABA cycle in the body, it's side effects can include irritability and nervousness. As the deficiency worsens it causes high levels of anxiety and in severe cases depression and hallucinations. Magnesium is needed for every cell function from the gut to the brain, so it is no wonder that it affects so many systems.
High Blood Pressure
Magnesium works partnered with calcium to support proper blood pressure and protect the heart. So when you are magnesium deficient, often you are also low in calcium and tend towards hypertension or high blood pressure. A study with 241,378 participants published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition uncovered that a diet high in magnesium foods could reduce the risk of a stroke by 8%. This is profound considering that hypertension causes 50% of ischemic strokes in the world.
Magnesium works partnered with calcium to support proper blood pressure and protect the heart. So when you are magnesium deficient, often you are also low in calcium and tend towards hypertension or high blood pressure. A study with 241,378 participants published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition uncovered that a diet high in magnesium foods could reduce the risk of a stroke by 8%. This is profound considering that hypertension causes 50% of ischemic strokes in the world.
Type II Diabetes
One of the 4 mains causes of magnesium deficiency is type II diabetes but it is also a common symptom. UK researchers, for example, uncovered that of the 1,452 adults they examined low Mg levels were 10.51 times more common with new diabetics and 8.63 times more common with known diabetics. As expected from this data, diets rich in Mg has been shown to significantly lower the risk of type 2 diabetes because of magnesium's role in sugar metabolism. Another study discovered that the simple addition of magnesium supplementation (100 mg/day) lowered the risk of diabetes by 15%!
One of the 4 mains causes of magnesium deficiency is type II diabetes but it is also a common symptom. UK researchers, for example, uncovered that of the 1,452 adults they examined low Mg levels were 10.51 times more common with new diabetics and 8.63 times more common with known diabetics. As expected from this data, diets rich in Mg has been shown to significantly lower the risk of type 2 diabetes because of magnesium's role in sugar metabolism. Another study discovered that the simple addition of magnesium supplementation (100 mg/day) lowered the risk of diabetes by 15%!
Fatigue
Low energy, weakness and fatigue are common symptoms of magnesium deficiency. Most chronic fatigue patients are also magnesium deficient. The University of Maryland Medical Center reports that 300 – 1,000 mg of Magnesium per day can help, but you do also want to be careful as too much Mg can also cause diarrhea. If you experience this side effect you can simply reduce your dosage a little until the side effect subsides.
Low energy, weakness and fatigue are common symptoms of magnesium deficiency. Most chronic fatigue patients are also magnesium deficient. The University of Maryland Medical Center reports that 300 – 1,000 mg of Magnesium per day can help, but you do also want to be careful as too much Mg can also cause diarrhea. If you experience this side effect you can simply reduce your dosage a little until the side effect subsides.
Migraine HeadachesMagnesium deficiency has been linked to migraine headaches due of its importance in balancing neurotransmitters in the body. Double-blind placebo-controlled studies have proven that 360 – 600mg of magnesium daily reduced the frequency of migraine headaches by up to 42%.
Osteoporosis
The National Institute of Health reports that, "The average person's body contains about 25 grams of magnesium, and about half of that is in the bones." This is important to realize, especially for the elderly, who are at risk of bone weakening. Thankfully, there's hope! A study published in Biology Trace Element Research uncovered that supplementing with magnesium slowed the development of osteoporosis "significantly" after just 30 days. In addition to taking magnesium supplement, you will also want to consider getting more vitamin D3 and K2 to naturally build bone density.
The National Institute of Health reports that, "The average person's body contains about 25 grams of magnesium, and about half of that is in the bones." This is important to realize, especially for the elderly, who are at risk of bone weakening. Thankfully, there's hope! A study published in Biology Trace Element Research uncovered that supplementing with magnesium slowed the development of osteoporosis "significantly" after just 30 days. In addition to taking magnesium supplement, you will also want to consider getting more vitamin D3 and K2 to naturally build bone density.
To learn more about how to increase your Magnesium naturally in your food check out our article on Magnesium Benefits Plus Top 10 Magnesium Rich Foods!
