Are You Magnesium Deficient?
By Sara Butler
Magnesium is probably one of those minerals you know you need for good health, but you’re probably also a little in the dark about why you need it and what it does. It turns out that magnesium is quite critical to your health, and deficiency can lead to many problems. Here’s what you should be on the lookout for in order to know if you’re in danger of being magnesium deficient.
What Magnesium Does
Magnesium is a mineral your body needs for nerve and muscle function. It’s a part of the energy production process in your body, used for everything from structuring healthy bones to helping your body maintain a normal heart rhythm and nerve impulses.
Women should get 310 to 360 milligrams per day and men should get 400 to 420 milligrams per day in their diet. You can easily find it in a variety of foods such as:
- Seeds
- Nuts
- Beans
- Avocado
- Yogurt
- Bananas
- Dark chocolate
- Dark leafy greens
Signs of Deficiency
If your body isn’t getting enough magnesium, then it will leach the mineral from your bones, which can weaken your bones over time. If you have any of the following symptoms, you may want to discuss magnesium deficiency with a medical professional:
- Flu-like symptoms – Some of the early signs of a deficiency include vomiting, nausea, loss of appetite, weakness, and fatigue. See a medical professional if these symptoms don’t resolve in about five days.
- Tingling and numbness – As a deficiency progresses, you may notice numbness and tingling in your extremities. This is due to nerves requiring magnesium to function properly.
- Muscle cramps – This is a sign of a severe deficiency, so if you’re getting muscle cramps regularly, then see a medical professional.
- Seizures – This is a result of abnormal electrical activity in your brain, something a lack of magnesium can cause. A seizure requires a trip to the emergency room, so if this happens to you, call 911 and get help.
- Abnormal heart rhythm – Magnesium helps you to keep your ticker ticking, so a lack of the mineral can cause some issues. If you notice strange heart rhythms, don’t wait to see a medical professional.
- Personality changes – If you feel overwhelmed, confused, and irritable all of the sudden, then it might be due to magnesium deficiency.
You must ensure your diet is balanced in order to help avoid vitamin deficiencies such as this! Talk to your chiropractor if you need help understanding how!
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Buford, Ga.