The Super Mineral: What Happens if You Are Low on Magnesium?

When it comes to vitamins and minerals, vitamin C and iron often take the limelight, but there are many others that are just as important. Enter magnesium: the super mineral that benefits you and your health in more ways than one. What's worrying, however, is how many people don't know how important magnesium is. Read on to learn what happens if you are low on magnesium and how to improve your intake.

 

What is Magnesium, and Why is it Important?

Magnesium is a super vitamin—in fact, it's involved in over 300 biochemical reactions in the body! You will be hard-pressed to find something this mineral cannot do. It supports everything from muscle function and energy production to maintaining strong bones and regulating blood pressure.

Here are some key roles that magnesium plays in your body:

 

• Muscle and Nerve Function: Magnesium helps with muscle relaxation and nerve signal transmission.
• Energy Production: It converts food into energy and plays an important role in ATP production.
• Bone Health: Magnesium is critical for maintaining bone density and strength.
• Cardiovascular Health: It helps regulate heart rhythms and blood pressure.
• Blood Sugar Control: Magnesium helps maintain normal blood sugar levels.
• DNA and RNA Synthesis: This mineral also produces essential genetic material.

 

Many of these functions can be impaired without adequate magnesium, leading to various health problems.  

 

What Can Cause a Magnesium Deficiency?

Now that we know why magnesium is so important, what could cause us to be low on magnesium?

• Poor Dietary Intake: Consuming a diet low in magnesium-rich foods can lead to a deficiency over time.
• Gastrointestinal Disorders: Conditions like Crohn's disease, celiac disease, or chronic diarrhoea can affect magnesium absorption. Talk to your healthcare provider about this.
• Chronic Alcoholism: Excessive alcohol can increase the risk that magnesium is lost through urine.
• Certain Medications: Diuretics, antibiotics, and other medications can cause magnesium depletion. Talk to your healthcare provider about this.
• Type 2 Diabetes: Insulin resistance can also lead to the loss of magnesium through urine.
• Ageing: As we age, our ability to effectively absorb the magnesium we consume declines.

 

What Happens if You Are Low on Magnesium?

Magnesium deficiency often goes unnoticed in the early stages, but it can lead to significant health problems over time. Here are some of the things that can happen if you are low on magnesium:

 

Early Symptoms of Low Magnesium

• Fatigue and Weakness: Low energy levels and persistent fatigue are common early signs.
• Loss of Appetite: A lack of magnesium can reduce hunger or interest in food.
• Nausea and Vomiting: Digestive issues may arise in the early stages of deficiency.
• Muscle Cramps and Twitches: Magnesium is crucial for muscle relaxation; without it, muscles may cramp or twitch uncontrollably.

 

Progressing Symptoms of Low Magnesium

• Numbness and Tingling: Low magnesium can affect nerve function, leading to these sensations.
• Abnormal Heart Rhythms: Severe magnesium deficiency can lead to arrhythmias or irregular heartbeats.
• Personality Changes: Low magnesium can cause anxiety, irritability, and mood swings. It can also affect sleep.
• Seizures: In extreme cases, very low magnesium levels may trigger seizures.
• Coronary Spasms: Magnesium plays a key role in heart health, and its deficiency can result in coronary artery spasms.
• Low Calcium and Potassium: Magnesium deficiency can lead to low calcium (hypocalcemia) and potassium (hypokalemia), further exacerbating health issues if left untreated.

Tips for Improving Magnesium Intake

Consume Magnesium-Rich Foods

Incorporating magnesium-rich foods into your diet is the best way to maintain healthy levels. Some excellent sources include:

• Leafy Green Vegetables: Spinach, kale, and Swiss chard are great options. Try incorporating them into a stew or stir fry to boost your intake.
• Nuts and Seeds: Almonds, cashews, and pumpkin seeds are packed with magnesium. How about sprinkling a few nuts and seeds in your muesli for breakfast?
• Whole Grains: Brown rice, quinoa, and oats are good grain-based sources. Why not overnight protein-packed oats for breakfast? Or perhaps, serve your next curry with brown rice.
• Legumes: Beans, lentils, and chickpeas are excellent plant-based protein sources rich in magnesium. Skip the meat and opt for these superfoods for dinner tonight.

 

Consider Supplements

A magnesium supplement may be helpful if you cannot get enough magnesium through your diet alone. Consult with your healthcare provider to see if you may benefit from this.

 

Address Underlying Conditions

If you have conditions like Crohn's disease or type 2 diabetes that can affect magnesium absorption, working with your healthcare provider to manage these conditions can help maintain magnesium levels.

 

Limit Alcohol Consumption

Alcohol increases magnesium loss through the kidneys, so limiting your alcohol intake can help preserve this essential mineral.

 

Stay Hydrated and Manage Stress

Hydration supports proper kidney function and magnesium retention. Managing stress is equally important, as stress hormones deplete magnesium levels in the body.

 

Improve your Magnesium Intake with Sprint Fit

Now that you know what happens if you are too low on magnesium, you may be inspired to increase your intake. Sprint Fit cares about you and your health. We offer a fantastic selection of high-quality magnesium supplements to help you stay healthy. Use these to bolster your magnesium-rich diet and level up your health. We also offer a wide selection of other vitamins so you can pick and choose what you need for your individual health needs. Buy vitamins online from Sprint Fit today.