As you might expect from such a vital mineral, the initial onset symptoms for magnesium deficiency are quite board and may be difficult to narrow down:
Vomiting
Restless leg syndrome
Nausea
Anxiety
Loss of appetite
Sleeping disorders
Abnormal heart rhythms
Low blood pressure
Low energy
Constipation
Brain Fog
Memory problems
Depression
PMS
Muscle weakness
Should magnesium deficiency progress, your symptoms could increase the risk of chronic diseases:
Heart disease
High blood pressure
Type 2 diabetes
Osteoporosis
You should consult your medical professional to determine a diagnosis and treatment plan.
Accurately measuring the approximate 25g of magnesium present in the body is more difficult than it might first appear. About 60% of it is stored in the bone, while the remaining 40% is found primarily in the muscles and soft tissue.
As a result, traditional blood tests are a poor indicator of overall magnesium levels. Instead it is recommended that you ask your doctor to perform a RBC magnesium test.
Which measures the amount of magnesium present in the red blood cells and is much more accurate because your body will typically take from these cells first when you are deficient in magnesium.
There are genetic and environmental causes for magnesium deficiency which include a high intake of:
Alcohol
Caffeine
Salt
Sugar
Prolonged stress
Type 2 diabetes
Pregnancy
Breastfeeding
Certain diseases
Certain medications
Consult your healthcare professional if you think this list includes you and you are suffering from the described symptoms.
According to the US National Institutes of Health the table below shows the minimum amounts of magnesium you should be taken to ensure you don’t present with magnesium deficiency symptoms. However, these daily allowances are quite broad and should only be used as a guideline.
The exact amount of magnesium you require each day largely depends on your age, gender, health and lifestyle. At Life Pharmacy, we recommend getting your magnesium from a combination of food sources and high quality supplements. Our qualified naturopath can put together a custom meal plan based on you unique situation and recommend the best possible magnesium supplements.