You’ve likely heard all about calcium and why you need more calcium in your diet. Deficiencies of calcium can lead to bone deterioration and so much more. But did you know that a magnesium deficiency can lead to similar issues and more? Complete levels of magnesium help men, women, and children with their physical and mental health. Magnesium is essential and aids the body in bone strength, muscle and nerve function, and even DNA replication. When you don’t get enough magnesium you may experience symptoms like low energy, headaches, insomnia, and more. Here are 8 signs you need more magnesium.
You’re Tired All The Time
Whether you have a digestive disease such as celiac, you’ve just had a baby, or you’re suddenly not feeling yourself, low magnesium can manifest as exhaustion. If you’re more tired than usual, it can mean many things. But because of the way that magnesium helps cells regulate, exhaustion can indicate a deficiency. Older people, people with thyroid regulation issues, and even drinking too much alcohol can deplete magnesium at the cellular level.
Depression
People who experience depression many times also experience many nutrient deficiencies. While taking vitamins isn’t a substitute for medical care, many people experience improvement in their depression if they get enough of certain vitamins and minerals, including magnesium. Even postpartum depression treatment often includes a combination of medicine and magnesium and other nutrients. Nursing moms and new moms are at a greater risk of PPD in part due to deficiencies. For those who suffer from depression or PPD, studies show they may benefit from increased serum magnesium levels.
Headaches
Do you find yourself popping painkillers for headaches every day? There are many ways to help reduce these. Diet, proper hydration, and good sleep can all work together to decrease the number and intensity of headaches. Magnesium is also well known to ease headaches. Because magnesium helps the brain and nerves function better, it can ease the pain and tension you feel in your head.
Anxiety
Similar to depression, many anxiety sufferers also have nutrient deficiencies. If you have anxiety, ask to have your serum magnesium levels checked. If they are low, you’ll want to take an easily absorbed and bio available form of magnesium to increase those levels. Some people with mild anxiety are able to manage their symptoms through magnesium supplements alone.
Insomnia
Can’t sleep? Do you find yourself waking easily and not resting well? While your sleep can be impacted by what you eat or drink, it can also be affected by magnesium levels. One of the benefits of taking magnesium is that it helps people sleep better at night. This can affect other areas of your health as well including weight loss, decreased headaches, and more.
Bone Breaks
Most people think of calcium when they think of bones, but magnesium is also important for bone structure. A deficiency can lead to osteoporosis especially in women. If you’ve had a couple of bone breaks, you’ll want to make sure you have enough vitamin D, magnesium, and vitamin C in your life.
Digestive Issues
If you find yourself constantly blocked up, it’s one sign that you need more magnesium. Muscles that line the digestive tract don’t move the food through quickly enough and this can lead to constipation and discomfort. When this happens, increased magnesium assists the nervous system, which impacts the muscles, and your ability to digest food and remove wastes. Some people experience the opposite, they have diarrhea when their magnesium levels are low. Poor nutrient absorption due to Crohn’s disease and irritable bowel disorders impact the uptake of magnesium from the diet. It’s important in these cases to supplement with easily absorbed forms of magnesium.
Muscle Twitching
Magnesium is critical for the nervous system. If you find yourself with muscle twitches and restless legs often, it could be because of a magnesium deficiency. Encourage your family to eat healthy foods that are rich in vitamins and minerals. Avocado and almonds are just two foods that are rich in magnesium and help nourish your body.
When you experience uncomfortable symptoms in your body, your body is trying to tell you something. These are just some of the symptoms of magnesium deficiency. It’s important to listen to your body so you can give it what it needs.
