Did you know it is estimated that up to 50% of Americans may not be getting enough magnesium in their diet, which could put them at risk for magnesium deficiency?

These days chronic diseases, medications, and the addition of more refined and processed foods have taken away much of the magnesium we would normally get through our normal diet.

Magnesium deficiency is oftentimes overlooked and underdiagnosed because the symptoms may not be apparent until your levels become severely low. Also, many of the symptoms are common and can be caused by other health conditions, making it difficult to identify a magnesium deficiency based on symptoms alone. The range of symptoms can be both physical and mental.

But why is this important for us to know? Magnesium is a critical nutrient that is involved in over 300 enzymatic reactions in the body. Since it is required for many different bodily functions, obtaining adequate stores of this nutrient is extremely vital.

Certain populations may be at higher risk of magnesium deficiency, including the elderly, people with gastrointestinal disorders, and people who consume large amounts of alcohol. In addition, magnesium deficiency may be more common in people with certain medical conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, and in people taking certain medications, such as diuretics or proton pump inhibitors.

While magnesium deficiency is not typically life-threatening, it can have a range of negative health effects. Let’s take a deep dive into the role of this important nutrient in the body, warning signs of deficiency and how to restore it to normal levels in your body.

If you suspect that you may be at risk of magnesium deficiency, or if you are experiencing symptoms that may be related to magnesium deficiency, it's important to speak with your doctor, who can recommend the appropriate tests and treatment.

What is Magnesium?

Magnesium is a mineral that is essential for many bodily functions. It is the fourth most abundant mineral in the human body and is involved in over 300 biochemical reactions. Magnesium plays a key role in regulating muscle and nerve function, maintaining a healthy immune system, keeping bones strong, and regulating blood sugar levels.

Magnesium is obtained through diet and is found in a variety of foods, including nuts, seeds, whole grains, and leafy green vegetables. It can also be taken as a dietary supplement.

The recommended daily intake of magnesium varies depending on age, sex, and other factors, but in general, adults need between 320-420 mg of magnesium per day. However, many people do not consume enough magnesium through their diet, and magnesium deficiency can lead to a variety of health problems.

What is the Role of Magnesium in your Body?

Magnesium is an essential mineral that is required for a variety of physiological processes in the human body including:

Bone Health

Magnesium plays a critical role in the formation and maintenance of healthy bones. It helps to regulate calcium levels in the body, which is essential for strong bones. Magnesium works together with calcium to build and maintain healthy bone tissue, and it helps to keep calcium in the bones where it belongs, rather than allowing it to accumulate in soft tissues or organs where it can cause damage.

Energy Production

Magnesium is required for the production of ATP (adenosine triphosphate), which is the primary source of energy for the body. Magnesium supports energy production by activating enzymes that are involved in the breakdown of glucose and other carbohydrates. These enzymes convert these nutrients into usable energy in the form of ATP.

Nerve and Muscle Function

Magnesium is involved in the regulation of nerve and muscle function. It helps in the transmission of nerve impulses and the contraction and relaxation of muscles.

Heart Health

Magnesium is important for maintaining a healthy heart rhythm and blood pressure. It also helps in the regulation of cholesterol levels.

Magnesium is involved in the electrical conduction system of the heart, which controls the timing and sequence of heartbeats. A deficiency in magnesium can disrupt this system, leading to an irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia) or other heart rhythm disorders.

Magnesium also helps to maintain healthy blood pressure by relaxing blood vessels and reducing resistance to blood flow. This can help to reduce the workload on the heart and lower the risk of heart disease and stroke.

Mental Health

Magnesium is involved in the regulation of mood and the prevention of depression and anxiety.

Magnesium helps to regulate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which controls the body's response to stress. A deficiency in magnesium can disrupt this system, leading to an overactive stress response and an increased risk of anxiety and depression.

Magnesium also helps to regulate neurotransmitters in the brain, including serotonin, dopamine, and GABA. These neurotransmitters are involved in regulating mood, and an imbalance in these chemicals can contribute to anxiety and depression.

In addition, magnesium has been shown to have a calming effect on the nervous system. It helps to relax muscles and reduce tension, which can help to reduce anxiety and promote feelings of calmness and relaxation.

Finally, magnesium has been shown to improve sleep quality, which is essential for maintaining good mental health. Magnesium helps to regulate the sleep-wake cycle and promotes relaxation, making it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep throughout the night.

Boost the Immune System

Studies have shown that magnesium deficiency can lead to a weakened immune system and increase the risk of infections. Magnesium is involved in various immune system processes, including the production and activation of white blood cells that help fight off infections. Additionally, magnesium helps to reduce inflammation in the body, which is an important factor in maintaining a healthy immune system. Chronic inflammation can contribute to a range of health problems, including autoimmune disorders, allergies, and chronic infections.

Diabetes Prevention

Magnesium has been shown to help regulate blood sugar levels, which can help in the prevention of diabetes.

What is Magnesium Deficiency?

Magnesium deficiency, also known as hypomagnesemia, is a condition that occurs when the body does not have enough magnesium. This deficiency can be caused by a variety of factors, including inadequate intake of magnesium in the diet, certain medications that interfere with magnesium absorption, and medical conditions that affect magnesium absorption or increase magnesium excretion, such as gastrointestinal disorders or kidney disease.

The symptoms of magnesium deficiency can vary between individuals. In some cases, magnesium deficiency may not cause any noticeable symptoms.

Routine blood tests may not always detect magnesium deficiency, as only about 1% of magnesium in the body is found in the blood. However, a blood test can still be useful in identifying severe magnesium deficiency.

Other tests that may be used to diagnose magnesium deficiency include an intracellular magnesium test, which measures the levels of magnesium inside cells, and a magnesium loading test, which involves taking a high dose of magnesium and then measuring the amount of magnesium excreted in the urine.

What are the Symptoms of Magnesium Deficiency?

Magnesium deficiency can lead to a range of symptoms, both physical and mental. Some of the common symptoms of low magnesium levels in the body include:

Muscle cramps and spasms

Magnesium is essential for muscle function, and a deficiency can lead to muscle cramps and spasms.

Fatigue and weakness

Low magnesium levels can cause fatigue and weakness, as magnesium is involved in the production of energy in the body.

Irregular heartbeat

Magnesium is important for maintaining a healthy heart rhythm, and a deficiency can lead to an irregular heartbeat or arrhythmia. Some other possible symptoms of arrhythmia include lightheadedness, shortness of breath, chest pain, fainting or dizziness.

Numbness and tingling

Magnesium plays a role in nerve function, and a deficiency can lead to numbness and tingling in the hands and feet.

Anxiety and depression

Magnesium is involved in the regulation of mood, and a deficiency can lead to anxiety and depression.

Insomnia

Magnesium is important for the regulation of sleep, and a deficiency can lead to difficulty falling and staying asleep.

Headaches

Magnesium deficiency can cause headaches and migraines.

It's important to note that these symptoms can also be caused by other health conditions, so it's best to consult with a healthcare professional to determine the underlying cause of these symptoms. If you suspect that you may have a magnesium deficiency, you should speak with your doctor, who can perform a blood test to check your magnesium levels and recommend the appropriate treatment.

How can you increase magnesium levels in the body to normal levels?

Dietary changes

One of the most effective ways to increase magnesium levels is by consuming foods that are rich in magnesium, such as leafy green vegetables, nuts and seeds, quinoa, chickpeas, black beans, lentils, whole grains, dark chocolate or cocoa, and fish. Note that certain cooking and processing methods can reduce the magnesium content of these foods, so it's best to consume them in their whole, unprocessed form whenever possible.

Magnesium supplements

An easy treatment for magnesium deficiency typically involves increasing magnesium intake through diet or supplementation.

Magnesium supplements are also available in various forms, including magnesium oxide, magnesium citrate, and magnesium glycinate.

Transdermal magnesium

Transdermal magnesium, which involves applying magnesium oil or lotion directly to the skin, may be an effective way to increase magnesium levels.

Epsom salt baths

Epsom salt is a type of magnesium sulfate that can be absorbed through the skin. Taking an Epsom salt bath may help increase magnesium levels.

Medications

In severe cases of magnesium deficiency, medications may be used to increase magnesium levels. However, these medications are typically reserved for people with severe deficiencies or medical conditions that affect magnesium absorption or excretion.

It's important to note that magnesium supplements or medications can interact with certain medications, and it's imperative to speak with a healthcare professional. If you believe you may have a magnesium deficiency, have a medical condition or are currently taking any medications, consult your doctor before taking magnesium supplements.

Final Remarks

Overall, it's important to be aware of the potential symptoms of magnesium deficiency and to speak with a healthcare provider if you are experiencing any of these symptoms or have risk factors for magnesium deficiency, such as a poor diet, alcoholism, or certain medical conditions. A healthcare provider can help determine if magnesium deficiency may be a contributing factor and recommend appropriate testing or treatment.

Keeping in mind that magnesium is an extremely essential nutrient that is required for many different functions in the body, it is crucial to consume enough magnesium, either through a balanced diet full of leafy green vegetables, nuts, and whole grains or take supplements.

A fast and simple way to add enough magnesium to your daily diet and support your overall health and wellbeing is by taking Magnesium Glycinate 100% Vegan Capsules,  - clinically-proven to give you all the benefits and protections of magnesium - so you won’t have to worry about changing your eating habits or spend time looking for specific healthy foods.

Mike Miryala, Head Pharmacist at CoBionic

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