According to experts, magnesium is involved in more than 300 processes in the body. It’s exactly for such reason why many tout it as the “master mineral”. From strengthening the immune system to regulating the blood pressure, you can be sure that magnesium is an important role player.
Unfortunately, magnesium deficiency is a problem so rampant these days — it is, in fact, estimated that more than 90 percent of the population is suffering from it. Here are some of the reasons why:
- Today’s soil does not contain as much magnesium as in the past
- Animals who feed on plants grown in today’s soil produce meat that’s low in the mineral
- Chemicals in drinking water like chlorine and fluoride bind with magnesium
- Sugar and caffeine in the diet also contributes to magnesium depletion in the body
- Stress reduces the levels of magnesium in the body, too
Evidently, living in this day and age can make anyone highly susceptible to magnesium deficiency. While it’s true that only a doctor can tell whether or not you are lacking in magnesium, there are a few signs and symptoms that may reveal that you have magnesium deficiency. Some of them include:
- Muscle spasms and cramps. Magnesium deficiency can cause the muscles to become stiff, thus making them prone to those painful spasms and cramps.
- High blood pressure. According to numerous studies, participants who are getting enough magnesium in the diet have blood pressures that are within the normal and healthy range.
- Hormonal imbalance. Experts say that some cases of hormone-related problems like PMS, acne and mood swings can actually be linked to magnesium deficiency.
- Pregnancy issues. Numerous problems encountered by women who are in the family way, such as morning sickness, muscle cramps and hypertension can be reduced with the help of magnesium.
- Anxiety. Are you feeling anxious all the time? There is a huge possibility that your body does not have enough magnesium, a mineral that encourages normal balance of chemicals in the brain, promoting relaxation.
- Insomnia. Speaking of relaxation, studies revealed that people suffering from insomnia were able to get a good night’s sleep upon supplementing with magnesium.
- Fatigue, dizziness and nausea. There are instances in which these symptoms are associated with depression, a mental health concern that can sometimes be due to magnesium deficiency.
- Osteoporosis. Magnesium is a mineral that helps drive calcium from the bloodstream and into the bones, thus saving them from ending up soft and brittle.
A doctor may tell you whether or not you have to take magnesium supplements in order to counter signs and symptoms that are linked to a deficiency in the said mineral. Also, you may simply include magnesium-rich foods in your daily diet to keep magnesium deficiency at bay. Some wonderful examples are dark leafy green vegetables, nuts, seeds, fatty fish, beans, whole grains, bananas, avocados and dark chocolate.
Sources: mindbodygreen.com
