Why You’re Likely Deficient In Magnesium and How To Get More Of It

Nearly half of the American population suffers from magnesium deficiency (hypomagnesemia). Even though we are not aware of it, the lack of magnesium in the human body can lead to serious health issues.  

Magnesium is essential for the proper functioning of the body. It is considered that magnesium has powerful properties that can improve overall health.  

If you experience cramps, mood changes, and stiffness in the body, you probably lack magnesium. Magnesium takes part in 100 body functions and 300 enzyme reactions. It is an essential part of the bone, brain, and muscle tissue. The body cells need magnesium so that they can calm down the muscles, produce energy, and stimulate the function of the other organs.  

Symptoms of magnesium deficiency 

Many people, who suffer from magnesium deficiency, are not aware of it. However, here are some of the most common symptoms of magnesium deficiency: 

1. Anxiety and depression 
2. Muscle cramps and twitches 
3. ADD 
4. Angina 
5. Irritability 
6. Autism 
7. Asthma 
8. Insomnia 
9. Palpitations 
10. Sensitivity 
11. Chronic fatigue 
12. Migraines 
13. Kidney stones 
14. Fibromyalgia 
15. Reflux 
16. Obesity 
17. IBS 
18. Diabetes 
19. Irritable bladder 
20. Hypertension 
21. Osteoporosis 
22. PMS 
23. IBS 
24. Menstrual cramps 
25. Inflammation 
26. Mental disorders 
27. High blood pressure 

Causes of magnesium deficiency 

The causes of magnesium deficiency vary and range from loss of magnesium in the body to improper dietary intake.  

Most of the food that we consume, such as white flour, dairy products, meat, processed, and refined food, do not contain magnesium. A sedentary and unhealthy lifestyle can also deplete this mineral from our body. Moreover, an increased intake of alcohol, caffeine, antibiotics, salt, diuretics, excessive sweating, stress, and other factors decrease the levels of magnesium in the body.  

Health issues related to magnesium loss include poor absorption, diabetes, chronic diarrhea, bone syndrome, and celiac disease.  

If you want to prevent losing magnesium and start getting it, you need to:  

1. Find something that calms you down and relax a bit. 
2. Reduce or avoid consuming alcohol, soda, sugar, caffeine, and salt.  
3. Visit a specialist to find out if some drugs that you are taking deplete your magnesium levels.  

Magnesium-rich foods 

If you want to increase your levels of magnesium naturally, you should consume foods rich in magnesium, such as: 

1. Garlic 
2. Soybeans 
3. Barley 
4. Dandelion 
5. Kelp 
6. Wheat germ 
7. Beans 
8. Almonds 
9. Avocado 
10. Shrimp 
11. Cashews 
12. Figs 
13. Collard greens 
14. Dates 
15. Tofu 
16. Brown rice 
17. Walnuts 
18. Millet 
19. Dulse 
20. Rye 
21. Pumpkin seeds 
22. Dark chocolate 
23. Peanuts 
24. Popcorn 

Magnesium is found in animal and plant-based foods. The richest sources are nuts and seeds, but leafy green vegetables, beans, and grains are relatively rich sources of magnesium, too.  

The lack of magnesium is a wide-spread health issue. The symptoms of magnesium deficiency are subtle until the levels become very low. It may cause muscle cramps, fatigue, mental problems, high blood pressure, heartbeat, and osteoporosis.  

A simple blood test can confirm if you have magnesium deficiency. You should visit a doctor to find out other possible health issues.