About 60% of the magnesium in your body is found in bone and the rest is in muscles, soft tissues and fluids, including blood. Every cell in your body contains it and needs it to function.
Magnesium is a "helper molecule" in the biochemical reactions continuously performed by enzymes. In fact, it’s involved in more than 600 reactions in your body, including:
converting food into energy.
creating new proteins.
creating and repairing DNA and RNA.
helping the contraction and relaxation of muscles.
regulating how messages are sent throughout your brain and nervous system.
Most people do not get enough magnesium
About 50% of people do not get the recommended daily amount of magnesium from the food they eat.
What health problems can magnesium deficiency cause?
Magnesium deficiency can cause many health problem. This deficiency may be because of inadequate intake from food or loss of magnesium from the body
Magnesium loss might result in:
diabetes,
poor absorption of nutrients
chronic diarrhea
celiac disease
hungry bone syndrome.
People with alcoholism are also at an increased risk.
What are some of the symptoms of magnesium deficiency?
Muscle Twitches and Cramps
Twitches
tremors
muscle cramps
seizures or convulsionsce).
Of course, magnesium deficiency is not the only cause of these issues.
It is also speculated that magnesium deficiency might promote anxiety, but there is not sufficient evidence of this.
Mental Disorders
Magnesium deficiency may cause:
mental numbness,
lack of emotion,
delirium and even coma.
Scientists have suggested that deficiency may also cause anxiety, but no strong evidence supports this idea.
Osteoporosis
Magnesium deficiency may increase the risk of osteoporosis and bone fractures, though this risk is influenced by many factors.
Fatigue and Muscle Weakness
Magnesium deficiency may cause fatigue or muscle weakness. However, these are not specific signs of a deficiency unless they are accompanied by other symptoms.
High Blood Pressure
Evidence suggests magnesium deficiency may raise blood pressure. Additionally, supplements may benefit people with high blood pressure.
Asthma
Magnesium deficiency has been associated with severe asthma. However, its role in the development of asthma is not entirely understood.
Irregular Heartbeat
One of the symptoms of magnesium deficiency is heart arrhythmia, or irregular heartbeat, which may increase the risk of more serious complications, such as a stroke or heart failure.
How to Get Enough Magnesium
There are plenty of magnesium-rich foods to choose from.
It is widely found in both plants and animal-sourced foods. The richest sources are seeds and nuts, but whole grains, beans and leafy green vegetables are also relatively rich sources. For example:
Almonds
Pumpkin seeds
Dark chocolate
Peanuts
Popcorn
For example, just one ounce (28.4 grams) of almonds provides 18% of the recommended daily Allowance for magnesium.
Other good magnesium foods include flaxseeds, sunflower seeds, chia seeds, cocoa, coffee, cashew nuts, hazelnuts and oats. Magnesium is also added to many breakfast cereals and other processed foods.
If you have a health disorder that causes a loss of magnesium from the body, such as diabetes, you should make sure to eat plenty of magnesium-rich foods or take supplements.
Magnesium supplements can be taken in oral form but there are also magnesium products available in cream, balm and oil form which is absorbed through the skin. Here are some of our selected products:
