13 signs that you urgently need more magnesium

Feeling tired is completely normal, but when exhaustion never fades, muscles cramp, and you keep getting sick, there may be something wrong in your body. Have you checked your magnesium levels?

Why is it so hard to get enough magnesium?

In the past, it was easier to meet the daily magnesium requirements. However, over the years, the levels of this important mineral in our food have dropped significantly, mainly due to industrial farming.

Approximately 57% of the U.S. population fails to meet the recommended daily intake of magnesium, according to USDA.

For example, in the U.S., the nutritional content of apples decreased by 82% between 1914 and 1992, according to Swedish physiology expert Rune Eliasson.

Another reason many people struggle with magnesium deficiency is changes in diet. Nowadays, many people don’t eat enough magnesium-rich foods like beans, seeds, fish, nuts, and leafy greens, which were once common staples in our diets.

Signs of magnesium deficiency

Magnesium is an essential mineral for the human body, playing a key role in many biological processes. It’s the second most abundant mineral inside our cells and is involved in the function of over 600 enzymes, as well as regulating several ion channels.

Deficiency of this crucial mineral can lead to a range of symptoms, including tiredness, muscle weakness, cramps, and irregular heartbeats. It can also make you more irritable, cause shaky hands, tingling, and heart palpitations.

Low magnesium levels can drop potassium in the blood, affect calcium levels, and lead to conditions like muscle stiffness or spasms, migraines, and even seizures. In severe cases, it can cause brain damage or, in extreme situations, coma or death.

Here are some of the most common signs that you might need to check your magnesium intake:

Muscle cramps

If you have problems with cramps in your muscles (often in your calves), it may be your body’s way of alerting you about a magnesium deficiency.

Try to get a little magnesium in your system before bed. It can do wonders for a night’s sleep (and your muscles).

Constipation

Magnesium is needed for the intestines to function normally.

According to the University of Michigan Health, certain medical conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), can lead to lower levels of magnesium.

A lack of magnesium can cause constipation because the body needs this particular mineral to soften stool and absorb liquid. Magnesium plays a key role in increasing water in the intestines, which can aid in improving bowel movements.

Asthma

Studies have shown that breathing can be improved when magnesium levels are increased in the blood.

The highly respected medical journal The Lancet has also reported on the strong correlation between increased magnesium intake and reduced asthma symptoms.