The importance of magnesium in the human body is that it’s needed for vital functions. Magnesium deficiency affects three main functional areas.
There are six minerals that require at least 250 mg per day, magnesium is one of them next to calcium. Everyone knows that calcium is necessary for strong bone health and people are constantly trying to intake calcium via supplements or milk. However, people should be living proactively with magnesium as well; it is just as essential as calcium.
Magnesium in the human body is essential for three main areas: the brain, muscles, and cardiovascular system. This essential mineral ingrains itself into the inner workings of our cells and is responsible for over 300 enzyme functions. It’s necessary for DNA and RNA to maintain stability. Magnesium is also responsible for cellular respiration and energy production. Without these two required functions for the cell, its host could not survive.
How to tell if you have a magnesium deficiency
There are a slew of symptoms that are directly related to magnesium deficiencies, both for acute and major deficiencies. I touched on some of them in a previous post on magnesium deficiency symptoms.
Since the importance of magnesium in the human body affects three main areas, let’s take a look at some of the common symptoms for each.
The main functions of the human body where magnesium deficiency symptoms may arise are neurological, muscular, and metabolic/cardiovascular. When magnesium is lacking in the body, symptoms are typically seen in these areas.
The primary symptoms in each functional area of the body are as follows:
Neurological
- Lethargy
- Impaired memory and cognitive function
- Nausea and vomiting
- Seizures
Muscular
- Weakness
- Muscle spasms (tetany)
- Tics
- Muscle cramps
- Hyperactive reflexes
- Impaired muscle coordination (ataxia)
- Tremors
- Involuntary eye movements and vertigo
Metabolic/Cardiovascular
- Increased intracellular calcium
- Hyperglycemia
- Irregular or rapid heartbeat
- Coronary spasms
Importance of Magnesium in the Human Body – Treating Deficiencies
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms above, you are probably wondering how to combat the symptoms. There are several methods you can approach, but the most important are lifestyle and eating habits.
First, try to switch to a diet that is high in green vegetables. Green vegetables are filled with chlorophyll which contain modest amounts of magnesium.
The second approach one can take is to avoid processed foods as much as reasonably possible. Refined or processed foods often have their magnesium stripped away to make more room for sugar.
A third approach to fixing your magnesium deficiency is to consume any foods or drinks that are fermented. The reason these are beneficial for addressing magnesium deficiencies is that the probiotics that are created in the gut due to fermented foods allows the intestines to absorb the magnesium more easily.
Lastly, if all else fails you can always take bottle of magnesium supplements that can be found at most any grocery or superstore in your local neighborhood. Whichever approach you decide to take, make an effort to restore your magnesium levels to start feeling better. After all, magnesium plays a huge role in most of the bodies essential functions.
