Health - How to Tell If You Have a Magnesium Deficiency

Magnesium is one of those vital vitamins your body needs to work properly. Without it your body cannot effectively regulate cholesterol lev...

Magnesium is one of those vital vitamins your body needs to work properly. Without it your body cannot effectively regulate cholesterol levels or break down fat. Magnesium also controls the production of antioxidants, proteins and enzymes. Magnesium is also responsible for creating and repairing DNA and RNA strains. Magnesium is typically found in foods and beverages that you consume. However, you can easily find out if you take a magnesium deficiency test online - four out of five Americans are said to have a deficiency. The good news is that your body lets you know when it's lacking in minerals. Here are the 8 outward warning signs that you might have a deficiency.

1. Easily injured

Magnesium plays a vital role in your muscle health and ensures that your bones and musculoskeletal system functions correctly. One consequence of a magnesium deficiency is that you develop osteoporosis. This means you will get injured fairly easily and your muscles will be much weaker, because magnesium builds blocks of muscles and produces proteins. This symptom is one of the more tell-tale ones in having a magnesium deficiency. It's recommended that you take calcium and magnesium supplements in this case.

2. Bad headaches

There are many causes behind the classic headaches but if you find yourself suffering from severe migraines or tension headaches, this could indicate a magnesium headache. You can try alter this by eating foods rich in magnesium or magnesium supplements to see if the headaches subside. If your headaches persist you should be in contact with your physician to investigate other possible causes.

3. Insomnia

While the most common cause behind the tens of millions of insomnia cases is stress, it can also be caused by a magnesium deficiency. If you find yourself having difficulty falling asleep or your waking up during the night, it's best to have your magnesium levels checked out.

4. Muscle cramps

Magnesium plays a key role in making sure your muscles are relaxed and support your body's general cellular function. Since you use your muscles daily it's important to provide them with the right minerals so that they function correctly. Both a lack of magnesium and potassium are well known causes of muscle cramps so it's recommended that you increase both of these minerals via supplements.

5. Hypertension

The leading cause behind hypertension, also called high blood pressure, is an intake in sodium. The second cause is a magnesium deficiency, and it is a notable symptom of this deficiency. It might be worth considering a magnesium supplement before resorting to strong prescription medication.

6. Anxiety and depression

A lack of magnesium might actually be bringing you down or giving you anxiety and panic attacks. Magnesium controls your mood and works to calm your body. The common modern day problems of anxiety and depression might be driven by low magnesium levels. It's worth trying ma

gnesium supplements for a few days to see if there's a change in your mood before committing to antidepressants.

7. Muscle pain

Low levels of magnesium are known for causing muscle cramps it can also trigger more severe muscle pain, known as fibromyalgia. This painful symptom is a tell-tale sign of a magnesium deficiency. To test whether your fibromyalgia is magnesium related take supplement pills for a few days to see if the pain subsides.

8. Spikes in blood sugar

Magnesium is also an important component in leveling out your blood sugar level and works to improve glucose absorption. If you notice that your blood sugar spikes or that you are feeling tired all the time, no matter how much you eat, you might be magnesium-deficient. Similarly you might be running low on magnesium if you are chronically fatigued and develop adrenal fatigue.