Magnesium Deficiency

Signs and Symptoms of Magnesium Deficiency

Magnesium is a critical mineral for proper organ and body function and is required for over 300 chemical reactions that occur in the body.  Magnesium is essential for maintaining energy production, muscle and nerve function, regulating blood pressure and blood sugar levels, and the production of hormones, protein, bone, and DNA.  Magnesium regulates the system that controls the physical and psychological reactions to stress, which helps relieve panic attacks, stress, and anxiety.  It also helps remove toxic forms of estrogen and aids in regulating the menstrual cycle. Magnesium helps reduce muscle pain and can also relieve migraine pain. Hopefully, you’re beginning to see the importance of magnesium!

Almost half of Americans don’t get enough magnesium in their diet, meaning they are at risk for deficiency. The symptoms associated with deficiency vary, depending on how severe the deficit is.  According to Bansari Acharya, RDN, initial signs of magnesium deficiency can include weakness, fatigue, vomiting, nausea, and loss of appetite.  If the deficiency continues over time, the symptoms can become more serious and may include seizures, muscle spasms, tingling & numbness in limbs, abnormal heart rhythms, Hypokalemia (low potassium levels), and Hypocalcemia (low calcium levels).  Most magnesium deficiencies are directly related to inadequate dietary consumption however, some diseases increase the risk because they reduce the body’s ability to absorb magnesium properly.  These diseases include Crohn’s disease, severe IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), celiac disease, alcoholism, and diabetes.

Increasing your daily intake of foods rich in magnesium is the best way to keep your levels in balance. Nicole DeMasi, MS, RDN, CDCES, a registered dietician, recommends the following high-magnesium foods:

  • Green leafy vegetables, such as spinach
  • Nuts
  • Tofu
  • Bananas
  • Whole Grains
  • Lefumes
  • Milk
  • Yogurt
  • Dark Chocolate
  • Avocados

Another way to increase your magnesium level is to take a dietary supplement.  The recommended daily dosage, and highest tolerable amount, is 350mg per day for adults.  Magnesium citrate and oxide are the most commonly found forms of magnesium supplements and may cause cramping and diarrhea. Magnesium glycinate is less likely to cause any gastrointestinal side effects.

We offer magnesium injections at Edge, which is the ultimate way to make sure your body is getting exactly what it needs!  Give us a call at 832-789-4989 to schedule your consultation today!

Sources: https://news.yahoo.com/recognize-symptoms-magnesium-deficiency-effectively-171547133.html

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