Magnesium deficiency symptoms are present when humans do not get enough magnesium in their diets. When the level of magnesium falls below the minimal body requirements it can lead to a number of diseases.

 

Before actually getting down to identifying the various magnesium deficiency symptoms, let us first understand the use of  magnesium in our body, its body requirement values, diet foods rich in the mineral etc. Magnesium acts as a regulator in our body and helps our body balance the functioning of numerous processes that happen at the same time.

While 50% of the absorbed mineral is being stashed away in the bones for future use and functioning of bones, the other 50% exists within the cells that make up our tissues and organs. Magnesium is involved in over 300 reactions in our body. This is the reason that magnesium deficiency symptoms surface when the levels of the mineral are low.

 

Magnesium is known for controlling disorders like hypertension, diabetes and even cardiovascular issues. Magnesium is required for healthy and better immunity levels, strong bones, normal functioning of nerves, muscles, heart rhythm, synthesis of proteins, body metabolism, maintain level of blood sugar, maintain normal pressure in blood. For an average man of 30 years, the intake value should be around 420 mg/day and 320 mg/day in women. Magnesium deficiency symptoms surfaces when this level gets too low.

 

Magnesium deficiency symptoms include the following:

  • Appetite loss
  • Nausea / Vomiting
  • Changes in personality
  • Lower levels of circulating Parathyroid hormone
  • Low potassium serum levels
  • Hyper excitability
  • Weak muscles and fatigue
  • Sodium retention
  • Low resistance to insulin
  • Tremor and muscle spasms
  • Irregular heart beat

 

When the deficiency becomes severe it may lead to hypocalcaemia and heart failure.

 

Causes of magnesium depletion include:

  • Alcohol and drug abuse including certain types of medications that cause loss of absorbed magnesium.
  • Poor diet and uncontrolled diabetes
  • Diarrhea and excess vomiting

Digestive disorders like malabsorption can also lead to lower levels of magnesium from diet. This is very true in patients suffering from Crohn’s disorder.

 

Treatment of magnesium deficiency symptoms include basic intake of diet food rich in magnesium like all kinds of beans, bananas, chickpeas, cowpeas, fish, nuts, soybeans, spinach, whole grain, tomato, oats, etc. When the deficiency is severe then you may be prescribed to take an oral form of magnesium in the form of magnesium citrate or chloride tablets that come in tablet supplements of 100mg / 200mg.