Magnesium is a mineral and important nutrient that your body needs to function. It is responsible for helping with over 300 processes within the body. Magnesium helps muscles and nerves work efficiently, helps to regulate blood sugar levels, assists in keeping bones strong and helps your body maintain a steady heart rate. It is known for having a calming and relaxing effect on body systems.
You can get magnesium through eating foods rich in the nutrient or dietary
supplements. Foods rich in magnesium include green leafy vegetables, nuts, avocados,
pumpkin seeds, salmon, grass-fed dairy and dark chocolate. Below are some common
signs that your body needs more magnesium.
Problems with Cognition
A deficiency in magnesium can result in a number of cognitive difficulties, such as brain
fog, memory problems and difficulty concentrating. This is because magnesium plays a
vital role in helping your mitochondria function. Mitochondria are structures within the
body’s cells that are responsible for producing energy. Without enough magnesium, the
mitochondria in brain cells have difficulty producing enough energy to power thinking
processes.
Headaches and Migraines
If you suffer from chronic headaches or migraines, low magnesium may be playing a
role in keeping your head pounding. Some studies have shown that people who get
migraines tend to have lower levels of magnesium in their bodies. Low magnesium is
thought to contribute to headaches and migraines because of its role in supporting
healthy never function and neurotransmitter production.
Constipation
Low magnesium can often lead to bouts of constipation. Magnesium works to keep you
regular in a couple of ways. By helping to draw water into the intestines, magnesium
plays a role in keeping stools soft for more efficient elimination. It also helps by keeping
the muscle contractions of the intestinal track regulated and working optimally.
Muscle Cramps and Spasms
Because of the important role it plays in supporting your muscles, not having enough
magnesium can lead to painful muscle cramps and spasms. Your muscles work by
contracting and relaxing. Without enough magnesium, these contractions and
relaxations can become difficult and uncoordinated. Muscle spasms and cramps are
often early signs of magnesium deficiency. Muscle spasms due to low magnesium are
often felt in the feet and legs.
Anxiety and Stress
Because of its important role in the production of neurotransmitters, low magnesium can
leave you feeling anxious, stressed and irritable. Neurotransmitters are chemicals found
in the brain that help your nerves communicate with each other. They help your body
regulate a variety of behaviors, such as sleep, thought patterns, moods and more. Low
magnesium can result in a variety of mood disorders, including anxiety, depression,
irritability and confusion.
Insomnia
If you suffer from sleepless nights, you may be low in magnesium. The neurotransmitter
GABA plays a role in helping the body to relax. Magnesium plays an important role in
helping GABA production in the brain. Being low in magnesium can lead to low GABA
production. And, without proper amounts of GABA, getting a good night’s sleep can be
difficult.