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Do you have magnesium deficiency symptoms? Many People don’t know they already have it.

Magnesium is an essential mineral which plays a pivotal role in the body. It is involved in around 350 body processes, including activates enzymes, regulating hormones, transmitting impulses from the nerves and balancing the mineral levels in the body. It also releases energy in the cells. However, we no longer obtain sufficient levels of minerals from the food we eat and that's why magnesium deficiency symptoms are so common.

Modern farming practices and food preparation methods affect the magnesium levels in the food we eat. For example contributing to nutrition in the food we grow, top soil is becoming more and more magnesium deficient it’s self (due to over farming etc.), which in turn causes our food to be magnesium deficient. Preparation of fresh food takes time, and is declined in favour of fast foods. As a result, nutrition is reduced; in fact, research has shown that grains lose about 70% of their magnesium content due to mass production, processing and refinement. The process in which rice is polished, causes a 83% drop in its magnesium content. As such, magnesium deficiency symptoms are on the increase.

Some of the factors that contribute to magnesium deficiency, include:

• Insufficient magnesium consumption;
• Dietary factors: consuming too much sugar, caffeine, salt, saturated fats, and alcohol;
• Malabsorption caused by liver cirrhosis, stomach problems, etc.;
• Endocrine problems, such as with the thyroid;
• Kidney problems;
• Pregnancy;
• Certain medications.

While some of these risk factors are beyond one's control, diet modification and a quality magnesium supplement can go a long way to warding off the magnesium deficiency symptoms that affect your quality of life. 

Understanding Magnesium Deficiency Symptoms

Since doctors specialize in medicine, they spend only a short period of time studying nutrition. When you present the following symptoms to your doctor, you will probably be treated using conventional medication, which can further reduce your magnesium levels to dangerous levels. It is important to be aware of mineral deficiency symptoms and to ensure that your consumption meets daily recommended allowances. Magnesium deficiency symptoms include:

Fatigue - Magnesium helps to regulate the process of food (fats and carbohydrates) being converted into energy.

Muscle Cramps and Spasms - Magnesium helps muscles to relax, and that's why painful muscles is one of the most common magnesium deficiency symptoms.

Raynaud's Syndrome - Magnesium helps spastic blood vessels to relax, thus reducing numbness and pain in the fingers of people suffering from Raynaud's syndrome.

Irregular Heartbeat - The heart is also a muscle, and low magnesium levels can cause the heart and its blood vessels to start developing cramps. Therefore, magnesium is essential for a relaxed heart muscle and blood vessels, and without it, you may risk death. In less serious cases, high cholesterol and hypertension are two common magnesium deficiency symptoms.

Blood Clots - Magnesium has a an anti-coagulating effect, which keeps prevents blood clots.

Diabetes - In order for insulin to transport glucose to the cells, it needs magnesium. This vital mineral helps to enhance insulin secretion, and to mobilize sugar. When glucose and insulin build up in the blood, it can lead to tissue damage.

Sleep Disorders - Magnesium calms the nerves, which helps people to fall asleep.

Asthma - Magnesium deficiency results in histamine production and bronchial spasms.

Cystitis - Magnesium deficiency increases bladder spasms, leading to cystitis.

Weak Bones - Magnesium aids with proper calcium absorption, without which the latter is released back into the bloodstream, leaving the bones softer and more easily fractured. Therefore, a person with magnesium deficiency has an increased risk of developing osteoporosis.

Tooth Decay - A common magnesium deficiency symptom, the unhealthy balance of phosphorus and calcium in the saliva causes the teeth to be damaged.

Bowel Disorders - Magnesium deficiency leads to constipation, which in turn leads to further malabsorption, colitis and toxicity.

Kidney Stones - When the bones don't absorb calcium and it is released into the bloodstream, it ends up in the kidney. Since magnesium aids in dissolving magnesium into urine, low magnesium levels will delay the process, resulting in kidney stones.

Liver Disease - Magnesium deficiency leads to liver failure and is a common cause of liver transplants.

Heightened Sensory Sensitivity - People with low magnesium levels tend to be more sensitive to external stimuli that result in emotional issues.

Nervousness - Since magnesium plays a role in the transmission or nerve impulses, low magnesium levels tend to result in anxiety, irritability and nervousness. It also keeps the adrenal stress hormones regulated to prevent panic attacks.

Depression - Magnesium deficiency causes the brain to be more susceptible to foreign substances and allergens, which cause symptoms that present in the same way as mental illness. Also, the brain needs magnesium to produce sufficient mood-elevating serotonin, which also fights migraine headaches.

Heavy Metal Poisoning - Toxic substances such as aluminum and lead are toxic to the body, but we are exposed to it constantly through pollution. Magnesium helps to detoxify the body.

Musculoskeletal Conditions - Magnesium deficiency may lead to chronic neck and back pain, eye twitches, fibrositis and fibromyalgia.

PMS - Magnesium helps to prevent period pains and PMS, and also plays a vital role in treating infertility and in pregnancy.

Unless you follow a strictly organic, balanced diet, with plenty whole grains and leafy green vegetables, you are most likely part of the 80% of people who suffer from magnesium deficiency symptoms.