Could You Be Lacking Magnesium?

Magnesium does a lot of quiet work and only gets noticed when it runs short. Here is what running short tends to look like.

Signs you might be low

• Muscle cramps, spasms, or twitches
• Fatigue and overall weakness
• Loss of appetite and nausea
• Numbness or tingling sensations
• Mood swings, anxiety, or depression
• High blood pressure
• Irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia)
• Frequent headaches or migraines
• Weakened bones and increased risk of osteoporosis
• Trouble sleeping or insomnia

None of those prove anything on their own. Most have other explanations, and plenty of people who feel wrung out are wrung out for perfectly ordinary reasons. It is when several turn up together and stay that it is worth asking the question.

Why magnesium matters

Magnesium is involved in over 200 processes in the body, including:

• Energy production and protein synthesis
• Muscle relaxation and nerve function
• Bone strength
• Heart rhythm and blood pressure regulation
• Neurotransmitter balance, which is why it comes up in conversations about mood and anxiety

It also has a hand in insulin regulation and in the melatonin cycle that governs sleep.

Where you get it

Magnesium-rich foods include:

• Leafy greens (spinach, kale)
• Nuts and seeds (almonds, pumpkin seeds)
• Whole grains
• Dark chocolate

Running low is more common in older adults, in people with certain health conditions, and in anyone eating a lot of sugar and not much else.

If this sounds like you

Start with your GP. They can test, and more usefully they can rule out the other things that cause this same list of symptoms, which is the part you cannot do from a website. Food is the other honest first move, and it costs nothing to try.