Magnesium is one of 12 vital minerals for humans. The lack of magnesium in the body: symptoms, treatment, prevention - I want to talk about this now.
About magnesium
The human body contains approximately 50-70 grams of magnesium. To a greater extent, it is located in the bones (approximately 60%), as well as in the liquid medium, muscles and soft tissues. I must say that the highest concentration of magnesium in the cells of the heart and brain. This element is also designed to calm the nervous system, regulate balance and provide the body with proper peace.
Causes
At the very beginning, I want to consider why magnesium deficiency may occur (symptoms will be discussed a bit later). So, the causes of deficiency are most often the following:
- Various diseases (for example, diabetes mellitus or kidney disease).
- Gene predisposition (heredity).
- Taking certain medications (such as diuretics).
These are all the reasons associated with the field of medicine. However, household factors can also cause a lack of magnesium in the body:
- Hard work, physical activity.
- Stress, nervous shocks.
- Human exposure to high temperatures. It can be working conditions or a hobby for saunas.
- During pregnancy and breastfeeding, mothers often suffer from magnesium deficiency.
- Well, too much passion for coffee or alcohol can lead to this condition.
Food
Well, and, of course, malnutrition can lead to a deficiency of magnesium and potassium in the body. Two simple points are important here:
- A person from food simply does not receive the amount of magnesium necessary for the normal functioning of the body. Now it has become especially relevant, because the use of certain chemicals prevents the absorption of this microelement from the soil by plants.
- The absorption of magnesium by the body can be reduced if the person has an excess of calcium and phosphorus (this affects people who eat fatty foods too often).
First signs
What are the very first signs of a lack of magnesium in the body? So, doctors distinguish the following two points:
- Paresthesia. In simple terms, a person’s sensitivity will be impaired (as a result - numbness, tingling, itching). It is also possible sensation of the so-called "goosebumps" - the appearance of pimples on the skin, as in cold weather.
- Explicit or hidden tetany. This is a condition for which convulsive syndrome is characteristic , as well as increased muscular-nervous excitability.
Symptom 1. The nervous system
If a person is deficient in magnesium, symptoms may include irritation, poor sleep, anxiety, and baseless fears. And all because because of the lack of this trace element in the body, it is the nervous system that suffers. It is worth saying that a constant lack of magnesium can even cause a depressive state in a patient, which is almost impossible to cope with without medication.
Symptom 2. Sleep
What else is lacking in magnesium? Symptoms may relate to the natural relaxation of the human body, i.e. sleep. If this trace element is in the body in insufficient quantities:
- There may be problems with sleep. These can be simple violations when a person wakes up for no reason. Or it could be insomnia.
- An important indicator of a lack of magnesium in the body is fatigue after sleep. However, this only works if a person’s sleep was complete in time (normal: continuous sleep for at least 7 hours).
- With a lack of magnesium, a person can constantly have nightmares.
Symptom 3. Learning Ability
Why is magnesium deficiency dangerous for children? Symptoms in this case are as follows: decreased attention, deterioration of memory, distraction. That is, the child almost completely loses the ability to learn. However, the same applies to adults. Flickering before the eyes, dizziness, nerve tics and persistent persistent headaches may also be added.
Symptom 4. Cardiovascular system
The lack of magnesium in the body negatively affects the work of the cardiovascular system. Symptoms may be as follows:
- Impaired heartbeat. That is, a person may have arrhythmia.
- Pressure surges are possible. It can both rise and fall.
- Magnesium is a powerful defender of the body against cholesterol. And with its shortage, a positive environment is formed for the formation of plaques and blood clots, which can clog vessels.
Symptom 5. Muscular system
What else can the lack of magnesium in the body affect? Symptoms may also relate specifically to the muscles of the person.
- Seizures are possible. Especially often there are calf cramps, as well as cramps in the feet and hands.
- Muscular twitching is frequent. Regardless of the time of day or physical stress of a person.
- Also, with magnesium deficiency, causeless muscle pains are possible.
Symptom 6. Gastrointestinal tract
What other problems can lead to a lack of magnesium and potassium? Symptoms may concern the human gastrointestinal tract. In this case, the following symptoms may be observed:
- Spasms of the intestines or stomach.
- Frequent diarrhea (regardless of the food that a person has previously eaten) or constipation.
Symptom 7. Beauty and appearance
What else is affected by a lack of calcium and magnesium? Symptoms in this case may concern the appearance of a person:
- With magnesium deficiency, brittle nails are often observed.
- Hair loss is also possible.
- There is a general weakness of the body, regardless of the time of day.
- Sensitivity to weather changes may appear.
Potassium and calcium
It is worth mentioning that magnesium itself is not such a strong element as it might seem at first glance. It brings much greater benefits in tandem with potassium or calcium.
- Magnesium and potassium. These two elements are actively involved in the work of the cardiovascular system. They provide a cardiac impulse, maintain the elasticity of the walls of blood vessels, slow the growth of atherosclerotic plaques, etc.
- Magnesium and calcium. These two elements are also important for the cardiovascular system. But they are necessary for the normal functioning of the muscular system of the human body. The ideal ratio of calcium and magnesium is 2: 1.
Treatment
We figured out what magnesium deficiency is (symptoms). The treatment of this condition is what else needs to be said. So, resorting to the use of medicines is necessary only in some special cases:
- With arterial hypertension.
- With type 2 diabetes.
- Coronary heart disease.
- Atherosclerosis.
- Arrhythmias.
- Alcoholism.
In all these cases, these drugs should be prescribed exclusively by a doctor. After all, self-medication can lead to the formation of such a problem as hypermagnesemia, i.e., an excessive amount of magnesium in the body.
An important point: during medical administration of magnesium, it is most often prescribed along with vitamins B6. And all because inorganic salts of magnesium in the human intestine are practically not adsorbed, which can cause diarrhea. Also, this vitamin also helps transport this trace element to the cells.
Prevention
Having examined the symptoms and causes of a lack of magnesium in the body, you also need to talk about those preventive measures that will be relevant in this case. Even with the slightest deficiency of magnesium, it is possible to compensate for its lack by proper nutrition. With a normal diet, the daily intake of magnesium is 200-400 mg. Sometimes, when calculating, scientists give the following formula: 4 mg of magnesium should be eaten per 1 kg of weight. The maximum allowable daily dose of magnesium for a person is 800 mg.
About Products
What foods contain this essential trace element?
- Barley and oat groats, as well as cereals.
- Fish: cod, sea bass, carp, flounder, halibut, mackerel, herring, shrimp.
- Vegetables: peas, beans, white cabbage, sunflower seeds.
- Fruits: lemons, apples, figs, bananas, grapefruits, apricots.
- Nuts sweet almonds.
- Milk and cottage cheese.