Magnesium deficiency: symptoms and signs
Eyelid twitching, leg cramps or sleep disorders: the signs of magnesium deficiency are very varied. But not many people know that disorders of the central nervous system such as restlessness or fatigue, as well as cardiovascular disorders are also symptoms of magnesium deficiency. What other signs of magnesium deficiency are there?
What are the signs of magnesium deficiency?
If the body does not have enough magnesium it tries to maintain the level (concentration) of magnesium in the blood. It supplies magnesium to the blood from its own reserves (muscles, bones and organs). This causes a deficiency that expresses itself in a range of clinical symptoms that may affect muscles or nerves, but also the cardiovascular system.
Magnesium deficiency: symptoms affecting the muscles
These symptoms are mainly associated with neuromuscular processes. Magnesium is essential for maintaining vital muscle function and the balance between muscle tension and relaxation. So, the best-known systems of magnesium deficiency include:
- Night-time leg cramps,
- Muscle cramps (in the thigh, for example)
- and cramps in the feet or toes.
Other signs of magnesium deficiency include:
- Muscle tension
- Muscle twitching,
- Eyelid twitching
- and tingling or even numbness in fingers and feet.
Where these occur you should respond quickly and top up your magnesium levels.
Disorders of the central nervous system as signs of magnesium deficiency
Recurrent muscle cramp is often assumed to be caused by a magnesium deficiency. But what other signs of magnesium deficiency are there? Even fairly non-specific symptoms such as
- Fatigue or feeling tired all the time,
- Exhaustion,
- Tension headache,
- Migraine,
- Tremors,
- Restlessness,
- Stress
- Sleep disorders
- or nervousness
may be due to a magnesium deficiency. That’s because this essential mineral is important for the transmission of nerve impulses to muscle cells. If levels are not kept topped up this also affects the nervous system. This causes disorders of the nervous system that can also affect your mental health.
Symptoms of magnesium deficiency: cardiovascular symptoms
Magnesium deficiency can also sometimes adversely affect the cardiovascular system. Symptoms that occur in people with a magnesium deficiency but are often not associated with an inadequate supply of the mineral include, for exampl
- Cardiac arrhythmia
- Circulatory disorders
- Elevated heart rate
- or high blood pressure.
Magnesium deficiency may be behind these symptoms because of its effect on the heart’s muscle and nerve cells. If they do not get an adequate supply of this vital mineral, they become more excitable and more likely to emit the impulse that causes a heart attack, potentially resulting in cardiac arrhythmia.
What should you do if your symptoms point to magnesium deficiency?
If you notice any of the symptoms listed above you need to act quickly! Don’t just shrug off even the initial signs of a magnesium deficiency – if left untreated, it could have serious consequences. So, take early preventive action to avoid the symptoms of magnesium deficiency. But how, you’ll be wondering. The magnesium products from Biolectra® help to maintain a good supply of the important mineral and top up your levels.
Note: If supplementing your magnesium intake does not alleviate symptoms you must consult a doctor for a diagnosis. That’s because the symptoms are not always due to magnesium deficiency.
