The Many Consequences Of Magnesium Deficiency
Posted on: 23 September 2016
So many people these days are deficient in magnesium. This is is thought to be due, in part, to a lack of magnesium in the soils in which food is grown. Many Americans simply don't eat enough foods – like leafy greens and nuts – that contain high levels of magnesium. A magnesium deficiency can go undetected or many years, but it can also have serious consequences long-term. Here's a look at some of the more common negative effects.
Tooth Decay
Calcium may be the best-known mineral that's essential for dental health, but it's far from the only one. Magnesium is also essential for building strong, decay-resistant tooth enamel. If you don't get enough magnesium, your body might begin leaching magnesium from your teeth and bones. Before long, tooth decay will begin to set in. You'll probably notice more cavities, and you might need to have root canals to address more extensive decay. If you've been taking good care of your teeth but still suffering decay, a magnesium deficiency may be to blame.
Heart Palpitations
You know that feeling where your heart skips a beat or adds an extra beat? Palpitations are often brushed aside as a "normal" or a symptom of anxiety. You should definitely see a cardiologist to rule out more serious causes like a heart valve defect. But if your palpitations perpetuate for seemingly no reason at all, they may be due to a deficiency of magnesium. The mineral plays a role in muscle contractions, and your heart is a muscle – so without magnesium, it may not contract normally.
Mood Problems
Most cases of minor depression and anxiety have a number of causes, from a stressed, busy lifestyle to a lack of sleep. Magnesium deficiency can make these mood disorders worse. If you're not finding relief from treatments like therapy and pharmaceuticals, consider upping your intake of magnesium. You may find that your mood improves.
Muscle Cramps
Whether they appear at night or during exercise, muscle cramps are often due to a long-term lack of magnesium in the diet. The good news is that they should fade away quickly once you add more magnesium to your diet.
So how can you keep your magnesium levels up and avoid these serious consequences? Eat more nuts, leafy greens, and fish, and consider adding a magnesium supplement to your diet. If your dentist is noticing a lot of tooth decay or you've noticed other deficiency symptoms, you may want to have your blood magnesium levels checked to see how you're doing.
Share