Magnesium is a mineral found in many types of foods; it plays an

essential role in human DNA production and repair, and in maintaining

healthy bones, nerves and muscles. Though it is readily available,

most Americans do not meet their need for magnesium through their diet.

The National Institutes of Health reports that teenage girls and men

over the age of 70 are the most likely to suffer from a magnesium deficiency;

if you’re not in either of those categories, you still should consider

getting your magnesium level checked if you suffer the following 12 symptoms.

1. Low energy

 

“Magnesium is involved in at least 300 different chemical reactions in our body,

and a lot have to do with energy production,” functional medicine nutritionist

Alison Boden told Reader’s Digest. “A sign of low magnesium can be low energy.”

If having low energy is getting you down, try these 10 easy ways to boost energy.

2. Twitching or cramping

Because magnesium plays an important role in muscle relaxation, insufficient

intake can result in unintended muscle movement. “Without magnesium,

our muscles would be in a constant state of contraction,” says Ancient Minerals.

3. Frequent headaches

Magnesium deficiency lowers serotonin levels, causes blood vessels to constrict

and affects neurotransmitter function, all related to headaches — especially migraines.

MigraineAgain estimates that 50% of migraine sufferers have a magnesium deficiency.

Here are 8 ways to treat headaches without medication.

4. Insomnia

If you’re having a hard time falling or staying asleep, it may be due to low levels of magnesium,

particularly if you are experiencing a lot of stress. Stress hormones increase blood pressure

and heart rate; this is partly accomplished by depleting the body of its magnesium, explains

Dr. Ronald Hoffman. If there isn’t enough magnesium available for the body to replenish itself,

sleeping becomes a problem. If you are worried about sleeping well, be sure to check out these tips for better sleep.

5. Irregular heartbeat

With low magnesium levels, the heart can have trouble staying in its regular rhythm.

Doctors often prescribe magnesium supplements for patients who complain of an irregular heartbeat.

6. Increased sensitivity to noise

Not having enough magnesium curtails its role in stabilizing the nervous system,

Hoffman says. This often results in hyperflexia, an enhanced startle reflex.

7. Seizures

Seizures can result when the nervous system is severely compromised due to

lack of magnesium, reports the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

8. Low bone density

Magnesium plays a major role in bone formation, and the majority of the body’s

magnesium is stored in the bones. “People with higher intakes of magnesium have a higher bone mineral density,” says the NIH.

9. Constipation

Bowel movements often slow down without enough magnesium in the body. Magnesium

is the main ingredient in many over-the-counter laxatives. Before you are

tempted to reach for a laxative, read about these 9 natural remedies for constipation relief.

10. High blood pressure

Magnesium is very important in maintaining a healthy blood pressure; a deficiency

can definitely cause pressure to be too high. “Eating foods high in magnesium and

other minerals can help prevent high blood pressure in people with prehypertension,” says WebMD.

11. Type 2 diabetes

Breaking down blood sugars is another of magnesium’s jobs in the human body.

“People with higher amounts of magnesium in their diets tend to have a lower

risk of developing diabetes,” says the NIH. Research is ongoing to determine

whether magnesium therapy can be used in diabetes treatment.

12. Depression, anxiety, confusion or personality changes

Low levels of magnesium in the brain can affect neurological functions that result

in all sorts of problems. Studies have shown that some phobias — such as agoraphobia

— have developed as a result of low magnesium levels, Dr. Hoffman says. Magnesium

has long been used as an effective home remedy for these symptoms, says Psychology

Today in an article titled “Magnesium and the Brain: The Original Chill Pill.”

If you suspect that you may be suffering from a magnesium deficiency, it is advisable

to confirm your suspicion by consulting your doctor. If you are not sure how to

bring the topic up, next time you are at the doctor, here are 12+ questions about magnesium you’ll want answers to.

The safest way to increase magnesium intake is to simply adjust your diet through

eating magnesium-rich foods. In the unlikely event of ingesting excess magnesium

in food, it is safely eliminated by healthy kidneys. Excess magnesium from

supplements cannot be eliminated in this way and can result in enough toxicity to cause cardiac arrest.