Essential substances that ensure the proper functioning of our body and the minerals, which include magnesium, ensure the basic functions of our body. Therefore, it is important to monitor your mineral intake. Did you know that magnesium is one of the most important nutrients for energy production in our body? The signs of magnesium deficiency are difficult to recognize because they occur in many other situations. Let’s try to clarify this.
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Magnesium deficiency, one of the most common nutritional deficiencies, can have many effects on our health.
What are the causes of magnesium deficiency?
There are several causes of magnesium deficiency:
- Inadequate nutritional intake is the most obvious cause: imbalance in our diet, consumption of industrial foods, repeated diets;
- Stress is another, less well-known factor. Stress is a normal reflex of the body when it feels threatened. It causes a number of physiological reactions, including a sudden release of adrenaline, a hormone known to remove magnesium present in cells. The latter is then found in the blood and excreted via the kidneys. So the more we stress ourselves, the greater the risk of losing magnesium! This magnesium deficiency in turn promotes stress. It is a doom-loop;
- During pregnancy, the pregnant woman must provide for her own needs and those of the fetus. As a result, the mineral reserves, especially magnesium, are used up twice;
- During intensive physical activity, water loss (sweat) occurs, which depletes mineral and magnesium reserves.
- With increasing age, urine losses increase and bones become more brittle. Older people also tend to drink less and eat less. Magnesium deficiency can quickly occur;
- Certain medical conditions require magnesium, such as: B. chronic intestinal or kidney diseases, type 2 diabetes and diarrhea.
What role does magnesium play in the body?
At the level of the nervous system, magnesium provides nerve impulses by stabilizing the nerve fibers. It also helps store and release serotonin and dopamine, hormones essential for relaxation and mood regulation. In terms of cognitive functions, it is essential for concentration and memorization. At the level of the heart, it is involved in the regulation of heart rate and blood pressure. At the bone level, it guarantees the strength of the bones.
Do you know how to recognize the symptoms of magnesium deficiency?
Some symptoms are so common that it may be difficult to attribute them to magnesium deficiency: fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, difficulty falling asleep, difficulty concentrating, etc. Joint and muscle problems may also be present. Muscle spasms or pain, eyelid spasms, numbness and tingling in the fingers, feet and around the lips.
More serious symptoms may occur: hypertension, headache, dizziness, dizziness, hypersensitivity to noise, anxiety, hyperemotionality, depressive state, palpitations.
It is important to recognize a magnesium deficiency in a timely manner. In the event of a deficiency, your doctor can advise you on your dietary habits but also prescribe nutritional supplements.