Magnesium Deficiency Symptoms

Magnesium contributes a lot to the proper functioning of the human body and is a necessary element to control normal electrical conduction in the heart. It is also required for digestion, proper muscle functioning, controlling nerve impulses and hormonal balance, and is also useful for dissolving large deposits of calcium in the body. Its deficiency increases the risk of diastolic hypertension, abnormal heart rhythms and may also lead to heart attack by increase in contraction of arterial muscles. The current Reference Daily Intake (RDI) for magnesium is 400 mg but the requirement is not met through daily food sources. It is estimated that approximately two thirds of the US population take insufficient quantity of magnesium in their diets, ending up with various problems. Following are the few factors which may lead to deficiency of magnesium.

• Alcoholism
• Mismanaged diabetes
• Diarrhea
• Usage of drugs like Diuretics, Cyclosporin and Cisplatin

The above mentioned factors may result in the deficiency of magnesium in the human body. The common magnesium deficiency symptoms are as follows:

Hypertension
Hypertension which is also known as high blood pressure, is a result of elevated blood pressure in the body. Magnesium deficiency is one of the major causes of hypertension and may lead to fatal problems like strokes, heart attacks and heart failure.

Depression and Insomnia
The person suffering from magnesium deficiency, often faces the problem of depression and insomnia. Depression often leads to imbalance of chemicals in the brain and disturbs the social and professional life of the patient. Magnesium deficiency results in the shortage of magnesium required by neuronal cells causing neuronal damage, which could manifest as depression. Case studies have shown rapid recoveries from major depression by usage of 125-300 mg of magnesium with each meal at bedtime. If taken according to the prescribed dose, magnesium is usually effective for treatment of depression as well as insomnia.

Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a disease of bones, which leads to an increase in the risk of fracture and skeletal fragility, and is one of the magnesium deficiency symptoms. Magnesium is involved in synthesis of vitamin D and integrity of bone crystal formation. Its deficiency makes the bones more brittle and vulnerable to even small injuries. Proper intake of magnesium through diets and supplements should be ensured in order to avoid the risk of osteoporosis.

Asthma
Lack of magnesium in the blood cells often results in asthma and bronchial hyperactivity. Oral magnesium supplementation is advised by the doctors in order to avoid the risk of asthma.

Anxiety and Headaches
Anxiety is often associated with uneasiness and fear, and is a normal reaction to stress. But when it becomes excessive, the anxiety disorder needs proper treatment, as it disturbs the mental stability of the patient. Anxiety and headaches are the usual symptoms of magnesium deficiency. In most of the cases, magnesium supplementation in the daily diet is advised for the cure of anxiety and depression. Often calcium doses are also given along with magnesium supplements as excess of any one of them results in reduced resources for the other.

People suffering from kidney problems should avoid increased magnesium levels in the body as the poorly functioning kidneys are not able to clear the magnesium in body. The blood ionized magnesium test is a useful way to compute accurate levels of magnesium ions in the blood. Bowel problems should also be considered, when one introduces magnesium supplements in his diet. One should always consult a doctors for the potential causes and treatments of magnesium deficiency.