After I returned from a business trip where I had forgotten to take my magnesium pills with me, I spent almost two weeks back in Dubai feeling unusually fatigued and unable to sleep, without understanding why. It was only when I visited Dr. Giovanni Leonetti, Specialist General Surgeon at Cornerstone Clinic, that the missing piece revealed itself with unsettling clarity. She took one look at my case and immediately told me I needed to go back to my magnesium supplements. Then she began to explain why, as though she were turning the light back on in a room I did not know had gone dark.
Magnesium plays a vital role in many biochemical reactions, including energy production, protein synthesis, muscle contraction, and nerve impulse transmission. It is essential for bone health, the functioning of the nervous and digestive systems, and the control of heart rate, blood sugar and blood pressure.
The signs and symptoms of magnesium deficiency can be divided into common and severe.
Common symptoms
Tiredness and Weakness: Feeling of unexplained tiredness, fatigue, and general weakness.
Muscle Problems- Muscle cramps and involuntary contractions, especially in the limbs.
Gastrointestinal Symptoms- Loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps.
Emotional and Sleep Disturbances: Irritability, anxiety, mood swings, difficulty concentrating, and insomnia.
Severe symptoms
Muscle and Neurological Problems-Persistent tremors, more intense muscle spasms, and in extreme cases, vocal cord spasms or seizures.
Heart Problems-Heart rhythm disturbances, such as arrhythmias, can occur in cases of severe deficiency.
Electrolyte Imbalances- Chronic magnesium deficiency can lead to hypocalcemia, or low blood calcium, which can cause muscle spasms and, in severe cases, heart failure.
Migraines
Magnesium is absorbed primarily in the small intestine and a deficiency of this mineral in the body is often associated with reduced intestinal absorption, which can be caused by various diseases or medical conditions, including surgical resection of the small intestine, inflammatory chronic diseases as crohn’s and ulcerative colitis, malabsorption syndrome, celiac disease, pancreatitis, diarrhea and prolonged vomiting.
Another common causes of magnesium deficiency is excessive alcohol consumption, malnutrition or prolonged fasting, use of certain medications as diuretics, laxatives or antibiotics and proton pump inhibitors
There are numerous remedies for magnesium deficiency, but the most appropriate treatment depends on the severity of the condition and the underlying causes.
In mild cases, lifestyle and dietary changes are often sufficient, while in other situations, dietary supplements or specific medical treatments may be necessary.
Rethinking your eating habits means adopting a diet rich in foods that contain magnesium.
Magnesium is present in numerous foods, many of which are readily available and can easily be incorporated into your diet:
· Nuts and seeds. Almonds, walnuts, sunflower seeds, chia seeds, and flaxseeds;
· Green leafy vegetables. Spinach, Swiss chard, and kale ;