Most people do not realize just how important magnesium is to the body – it simply does not get as much media attention as, for instance, calcium or iron. That appears to be changing in recent years, however, as more people in both the medical community and the general public become aware of just how many different functions magnesium helps to carry out in the body – and how a lack of it is a definite cause for concern.
The fact of the matter is that most Americans simply do not get enough magnesium in their diets. The result is chronic low levels of magnesium that can cause serious health problems down the road. That is way it is so important to know the warning signs of magnesium deficiency so that the problem can be corrected before it is too late. Read below to find out more about these warning signs.
Fatigue
Because magnesium is important for so many processes in the body – including how the body produces energy from the food it eats – it is not surprising that one of the biggest complaints from those with low magnesium levels is chronic tiredness and lack of energy.
Stress and Anxiety
Magnesium is naturally calming and soothing to the nerves. That is why people who have low levels of this mineral in their systems are more likely to have feelings of stress and anxiety than those who have adequate amounts.
Muscle Problems
Magnesium is also needed for health muscle functions. A lack of it can cause a person to suffer from symptoms like muscle weakness, tremors or shaking, or muscle cramps. The good news is that these problems usually resolve when the magnesium levels are restored.
Cognitive Issues
Magnesium is also needed by the brain and nervous system for optimal health and function. Low magnesium levels can cause problems with thought processes such as memory, attention, focus and even judgment and decision-making.
Poor Heart Health
Low magnesium levels can cause, among other things, a rise in blood pressure levels. Since high blood pressure is a major risk factor for cardiac disease, then, a low magnesium intake can indirectly cause serious events like heart attacks.
Other Nutritional Deficiencies
People who have low in magnesium levels also have a tendency to be low in other important minerals as well. Commonly, these low magnesium levels can be accompanied by low levels of potassium and calcium, which can cause their own set of serious health problems if left untreated.
If someone has these symptoms, they should consider going in for a simple blood test to determine the levels of this important nutrient in their blood. If a deficiency is found, then it will be a matter of using supplementation and eating a high-magnesium diet to help restore this imbalance and avoid long-term health problems associated with low magnesium levels.
Sources: collective-evolution.com, foodrenegade.com
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