What’s the deal with magnesium?

Magnesium is involved in numerous bodily functions, from relaxing sore muscles to relieving anxiety, though it isn’t as widely discussed as other vitamins and minerals. This underrated mineral plays an integral role in maintaining normal nerve and muscle functions, supports a healthy immune system, keeps the heart beat steady, and helps bones remain strong. It also helps regulate blood glucose levels and aid in the production of energy and protein.
Here are a few signs your body is magnesium deficient;

1 Distaste for vegetables

The most common cause of magnesium deficiencies is a diet deprived of magnesium-rich foods. To replenish the magnesium deficiency in your body, load up on veggies, brown rice, nuts and seeds!

2 Feeling stressed out

Magnesium deficiency symptoms may not be all that obvious at first. However, if you’re under a lot of stress, your body will react chemically and magnesium levels can be affected. Stress also can make us more prone to magnesium deficiency, as can excessive sweating from workouts. Try to relax and de-stress your body as often as you can.

3 Frequent headaches

If your head is pounding and you can’t seem to shake it off, you might want to get tested; headaches are one of the most common magnesium deficiency symptoms. People often have headaches when their magnesium levels are low.

4 Constipation

You might not think about magnesium levels when you’re constipated, but you should. Many people often experience constipation precisely when their magnesium levels are too low.

5 Low energy levels

Magnesium helps energise your body, so if you don’t have enough of it, you are likely to feel weak. Magnesium is involved in at least 300 different chemical reactions in our body, and a lot have to do with energy production. A sign of low magnesium can be low energy.

6 Inability to sleep well

While magnesium can be used to treat a number of medical issues, and it has also been used for sleep problems. Doctors recommend magnesium therapeutically for people who have consistent difficulty in winding down and sleeping. Magnesium acts as a muscle relaxant that can slow things down bit and help with sleep.

7 Weakening of bones

A lot of magnesium is stored in bones, so a deficiency in it can cause weakening of the bone structure when there isn’t enough magnesium over a long period of time.

8 Low levels of Vitamin D

When low magnesium levels lead to low vitamin D levels, a whole cascade of problems develop. Our body needs magnesium to absorb vitamin D. Too much calcium can actually lower absorption as well, so we need to find a balance between all these vitamins and minerals.

9 Muscle twitching and cramps

Twitches, tremors and muscle cramps are signs of magnesium deficiency. In worst case scenarios, deficiency may even cause seizures or convulsions. Scientists believe these symptoms are caused by a greater flow of calcium into nerve cells, which hyper-stimulates the muscle nerves. Magnesium supplements are strongly advised for anyone undergoing the symptoms.

Foods Rich in Magnesium

• Green leafy vegetables (e.g. spinach and kale)

• Fruits (figs, avocado, banana and raspberries)

• Nuts and seeds

• Legumes (black beans, chickpeas and kidney beans)

• Vegetables (peas, broccoli, cabbage, green beans, artichokes, asparagus, brussels sprouts)

• Seafood (salmon, mackerel, tuna)

• Whole grains (brown rice

and oats)

• Dark chocolate

• Tofu

• Baked beans

• Chlorella powder