Magnesium deficiency is not an independent clinical picture, but an acute or chronic deficiency condition. However, it can trigger and cause various clinical pictures and functional disorders in the body. In most cases, magnesium deficiency initially goes unnoticed. It is generally assumed that food contains enough magnesium.
What is magnesium deficiency?
A blood test of magnesium levels is used by physicians to further diagnose various diseases. Magnesium deficiency is defined as not having enough magnesium in the body. In this context, no deficiency at all can be evident in the blood count, because there is always homeostasis of all required substances in the blood. This means that all the necessary nutrients are present in the required quantities. If they are not supplied in the diet, the body makes use of its own depots or of bones, teeth and tissue. Acute magnesium deficiency is more likely to be diagnosed by other symptoms, such as leg cramps after exercise or in old age. Chronic magnesium deficiency, however, is a different problem. Until now, it has received little attention from the medical community. Yet chronic magnesium deficiency can be involved in the development of numerous functional disorders in the body.
Causes
Causes of acute or chronic magnesium deficiency include exercise, profuse sweating, poor diet, and increasing age. High-sugar, low-vital diet, to which dehydrating drinks are enjoyed, can already trigger a magnesium deficiency. Nutritionists blame industrially processed food, depleted and over-fertilized soils, plants damaged as a result, incorrect food preparation methods and a poor diet for magnesium deficiency. In addition, the absorption of magnesium depends on other vitamins. If these are not sufficiently supplied, a magnesium deficiency will occur even if the supply is generally good. These vitamins are also partially eliminated during cooking or frying. The rest is often done by the countless chemical pollutants to which humans are exposed. Magnesium deficiency is therefore regarded by numerous scientists as a widespread disease. However, the majority of medical professionals deny that magnesium deficiency exists at all.
Symptoms, complaints and signs
The symptoms of an acute magnesium deficiency are usually given by cramps. However, a deficiency situation can also remain completely without symptoms. In addition to cramps in the legs or toes, other complaints may also be reported. These do not always indicate a magnesium deficiency. They are too unspecific for that. A magnesium deficiency can cause muscle twitching in addition to calf cramps. The heart, one of the most important muscles in the body, can also suffer from magnesium deficiency. This may be manifested by symptoms such as dizziness, palpitations or palpitations, exhaustion, unexplained fatigue or inner restlessness. With a healthy diet rich in vital substances, neither palpitations nor palpitations should actually occur. However, due to age, stress or certain diseases, the consumption of minerals can be higher than usual. In this case, an acute magnesium deficiency can develop. Under certain circumstances, an acute magnesium deficiency can also lead to non-specific digestive complaints such as constipation or diarrhea and to headaches. No one attributes such symptoms to a mineral deficiency without good reason. If symptoms are unclear, a doctor should be consulted if they persist over a longer period of time. If symptoms that could indicate a magnesium deficiency are suspected, only a blood test can provide information. Magnesium deficiency occurs more frequently in pregnant women in particular. Self-treatment is not recommended.
Diagnosis and course
The diagnosis of acute magnesium deficiency is often made by oneself. A chronic magnesium deficiency, however, first becomes noticeable through illness. The nervous system, muscles, blood vessels, kidneys, immune system or skin depend on the absorption of magnesium. For them, magnesium deficiency means a reduction in their activities. If the magnesium deficiency is temporary, a chronic deficiency of a mild nature develops over a long period of time. At the same time, magnesium absorption and utilization are reduced in old age. Thanks to an unbalanced diet low in minerals, nutritional diseases develop.Often the magnesium deficiency involved is not specifically diagnosed or noticed. American studies have shown that more than half of the subjects examined in one study had a serious magnesium deficiency. The previously recommended daily dose of this mineral already seems to trigger a magnesium deficiency. In the course of this deficiency, numerous diseases arise, the development of which is usually not attributed to a magnesium deficiency. Naturally, the magnesium deficiency also does not have to be the only cause by any means.
Complications
In general, magnesium deficiency has a very negative effect on the patient’s health. This can lead to serious complications, although these depend greatly on the severity of the deficiency. In most cases, however, the magnesium deficiency can be counteracted very easily and quickly, so that consequential damage can be avoided relatively well. Those affected primarily suffer from fatigue and exhaustion. The immune system is also weakened by this deficiency, so that inflammations or infections occur more frequently. Wound healing of the affected person is also significantly delayed. The further course of this complaint, however, depends strongly on the cause of this deficiency, so that no general prediction is possible in this case. In most cases, magnesium deficiency is treated with the help of a strict diet. This is relatively quick and the symptoms disappear after a few days. If the disease is chronic in nature, where the root cause cannot be treated, the affected person must take supplements. Complications do not occur in this case. If the treatment is successful, no further complications occur.
When should one go to the doctor?
If cramps occur repeatedly, a follow-up visit to a physician should be made. If the cramps occur in the extremities, this often indicates a deficiency condition that should be clarified. Sudden problems with locomotion due to the existing impairments increase the general risk of accidents and must be treated in time. Twitching or other irregularities of the muscle fibers are further indications of a health malfunction that should be investigated by a physician. If there is exhaustion, increased fatigue, lassitude or lassitude, there is cause for concern. If the symptoms persist for several weeks or months, a visit to the doctor is necessary. Disturbances of the heart rhythm, lack of energy or a decrease in the usual physical performance should be examined and treated by a doctor. Headaches, listlessness as well as changes in behavior indicate discrepancies that require action. Disturbances of the digestive tract, dizziness or palpitations are signs of an existing health problem which should be clarified by a doctor. In case of inner restlessness, abnormalities of behavior or difficulties in coping with everyday life, the affected person needs medical help. Loss of well-being, mood swings, listlessness and a withdrawal from the social environment indicate an impairment that should be further investigated in medical tests.
Treatment and therapy
Treatment of magnesium deficiency consists of oral administration of magnesium in acute cases. Otherwise, however, the diet must be checked for magnesium deficiency. One-sided and high-sugar diet with cola, sweets, sweet pastries, fast food and frozen portions automatically entails magnesium deficiency. This leads to a chronic overacidification of the organism. Calcium and magnesium are mainly consumed to neutralize acids. The overacidification can be reversed with a predominantly alkaline diet. Therefore, the basic treatment for magnesium deficiency is always a change in diet. Instead of industrially processed food, one chooses natural and unprocessed food. In addition, the diseases caused by hyperacidity and magnesium deficiency must be treated individually. Here, the administration of magnesium alone is often not enough. Magnesium deficiency is part of a disease process that is more complex.
Outlook and prognosis
In principle, magnesium deficiency can be corrected quickly. By changing the diet as well as a temporary supply of magnesium, a compensation of the deficiency symptom can be expected.It should be noted, however, that magnesium deficiency is not a disease in its own right. In most cases, the deficiency indicates the presence of another underlying disease. Therefore, the magnesium deficiency is usually only temporarily compensated for until the cause of the development has been found and corrected. If the deficiency can be traced back to an incorrect diet, the intake of nutrients should be controlled. This is particularly advisable for athletes or people with heavy sporting activities. Freedom from symptoms is achieved if a diet rich in vital substances and low in sugar is followed. If the deficiency symptom is caused by psychological strain or strong stress, cooperation with a therapist should be sought. If left untreated, it usually remains at a constant temporal portion. Stressors must be minimized and experiences should be well processed so that the consumption of nutrients is again well regulated by the organism. In case of an age-related cause, medical treatment should also be sought. The organism changes its consumption over the lifespan and must be supported by the administration of medicines in some phases of life so that freedom from symptoms is achieved.
Prevention
The best prevention against magnesium deficiency is a balanced diet rich in vital nutrients, with a high proportion of whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Even drinking a good mineral or medicinal water can supply the required daily amount of magnesium. At the same time, however, one must supply all the necessary accompanying substances that are required for magnesium absorption. Fluorinated toothpastes, mineral waters and table salts should be avoided in case of magnesium deficiency.
Aftercare
Magnesium deficiency can cause cardiac arrhythmias in severe cases. Other consequences of magnesium deficiency are muscle spasms, calf cramps, fatigue, gastrointestinal complaints and dizziness. Sometimes, however, there are only psychological symptoms such as inner restlessness, increased irritability, concentration problems, loss of interest and apathy or nervousness.Many important processes of the body can be affected by a permanent magnesium deficiency. These include, for example, the functioning of muscles and heart, the strength of bones and teeth, the functions of the nervous system, the excitability of nerve and muscle cells, the structure of our genetic material and DNA. The metabolism as a whole is affected, since magnesium is responsible for numerous metabolic processes. If the magnesium deficiency is persistent, it can have significant consequences for the body. Especially in older people, this causes cardiac arrhythmias, an accelerated heartbeat and cardiac insufficiency. In addition, a sharp drop in weight occurs and the ability to think is significantly slowed down. In pregnant women, magnesium deficiency is extremely dangerous. If the pregnant woman suffers from magnesium deficiency, it can lead to muscle cramps, muscle twitching, persistent muscle tremors, sensory disturbances or movement disorders. In addition, severe magnesium deficiency can cause premature labor or miscarriage.
Here’s what you can do yourself
A magnesium deficiency can usually be corrected by changing dietary habits and making small lifestyle adjustments. It is recommended to include foods with a lot of magnesium in the diet – so pumpkin seeds, cocoa, legumes or sesame seeds, among others. Bananas, couscous and nettle are also suitable and are usually sufficient to compensate for a slight deficiency. In the case of severe deficiency symptoms, the doctor may also prescribe dietary supplements. Suitable preparations are magnesium chelate, magnesium orotate or mineral powders with active ingredients from Sango sea coral. Alternatives from homeopathy include belladonna and colocynthis. In addition to these dietary measures, it is important to determine the causes of the magnesium deficiency. Sometimes the symptoms are due to a disease that needs to be diagnosed and treated by a doctor. Excessive sweating during sports and regular alcohol consumption can also be triggers. Both can be counteracted by a change in habits. In the case of typical symptoms, a doctor should always be consulted. The physician can ensure that the magnesium deficiency is not problematic and provide further tips and measures on how the magnesium reserves in the body can be quickly replenished.