Unlike calcium and iron, magnesium is not a popular mineral. However, it plays a key role in maintaining your blood pressure and lowering your risk of various health complications like heart disease and osteoporosis. Here are some of the common symptoms that indicate lack of magnesium in the body.
Muscle cramps: If you have been experiencing frequent muscle cramps, it could be a sign of magnesium deficiency. This is because, magnesium plays a key role in muscle contractions and lack of this mineral leads to imbalance in the muscle contraction and relaxation, resulting in muscle cramps [1].
High blood pressure: According to a 2002 study [2], increasing the intake of magnesium in the diet showed a significant improvement in people suffering from high blood pressure. Hence, if you are suffering from drastic changes in blood pressure, it might be a sign of magnesium deficiency.
Lack of sleep: Magnesium is needed for proper functioning of neurotransmitters, brain chemicals, which help the mind and body to relax. Hence, lack of this mineral is known to cause sleepless nights [3].
Fatigue: A common symptom of many health problems, if you have been low on energy and experiencing frequent muscle cramps, it might be the sign of magnesium deficiency [4]. Consult your doctor at the earliest to know the underlying cause of the condition and get treated.
Depression and anxiety: Magnesium is responsible for brain biochemistry and to maintain fluidity of neuronal membrane. And lack of this mineral leads to various neuromuscular and psychiatric symptoms like depression and anxiety [5]. Although the antidepressant action of magnesium is not fully understood, magnesium supplementation showed significant improvement in the condition.
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