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The majority of us know the importance of getting enough calcium, vitamin c and protein through our diet, but we tend to forget other crucial vitamins and minerals. Thankfully, magnesium is becoming more and more well-known and appreciated in the medical and nutrition communities.
However, it’s still one of the most common nutritional deficiencies, affecting up to 80% of the American population, and that’s something to be very concerned about.
What is Magnesium Deficiency?
Magnesium is a mineral that is present in relatively large amounts in the body. Researchers estimate that the average person’s body contains about 25 grams of magnesium, and about half of that is in the bones. 1% of it is in your blood.
Magnesium is important in more than 300 chemical reactions that keep the body working properly.
Magnesium is responsible for:
- Proper transportation of calcium, silica, vitamin D, vitamin K, and obviously magnesium.
- Activating muscles and nerves
- Creating energy in the body
- Detoxification
- Helping digest proteins, carbohydrates, and fats
- Serves as building blocks for RNA and DNA synthesis
- Acting as a precursor for neurotransmitters like serotonin
Early signs of magnesium deficiency include (1):
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fatigue and weakness
- Numbness
- Tingling
- Muscle contractions and cramps
- Seizures
- Personality changes
- Abnormal heart rhythms
- Coronary spasms
- High blood pressure
- Blood clots
What Causes Magnesium Deficiency
Modern farming techniques deplete mineral and vitamins from the soil in which your food is grown. This is especially true for fields treated with chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and insecticides.
This means that foods grown on these depleted soils do not contain a lot of magnesium.
Certain medical conditions can also make it more difficult for your body to absorb this mineral.
How Chronic Stress Depletes Your Body of Magnesium
The relationship between magnesium and stress is very complex. In one study, it was found that chronically stressed individuals had much lower magnesium levels when compared with control groups. And those who had healthy magnesium levels to begin with showed fewer signs of stress. Basically, stress can lead to magnesium loss in the body, but having more than enough magnesium stores can help protect against stress.
Leo Galland, MD explains the process further: “Chronic stress depletes your body of magnesium. The more stressed you are, the greater the loss of magnesium. The lower your magnesium level to begin with, the more reactive to stress you become and the higher your level of adrenalin in stressful situations. Higher adrenaline causes greater loss of magnesium from cells. Administering magnesium as a nutritional supplement breaks this vicious cycle by raising blood magnesium levels and buffering the response to stress, building your resistance.”