10 Signs You May Be Lacking In Magnesium
Magnesium Deficiency
Magnesium is used in over 300 reactions in the body, but it’s surprisingly easy to become deficient in this electrolyte. In fact, almost 80% of us may be lacking magnesium in our bodies; certain foods and drinks can actually lower magnesium levels, and these can be everyday items such as sodas or pastries for instance! Magnesium deficiency can have significant consequences, causing issues such as heart disease and high blood pressure. But often these problems are can be tricky to spot without an expert medical eye.
Day-to-day Symptoms
So, here are 10 symptoms that can be identified in day-to-day life, that may signify your body is lacking in magnesium:
- Muscle spasms and cramps
- Fatigue or unusual tiredness
- Tics
- Fuzzy brain/difficulty concentrating
- Loss of appetite
- Constipation
- Impaired memory
- Irritability and anxiety
- Difficulty swallowing
- Carbohydrate cravings
But don’t worry, it’s very straight forward to get more magnesium into your diet; simply ensure you’re consuming magnesium-rich food such as leafy greens, nuts, fish, beans, whole grains, avocados, bananas, dark chocolate – yes, chocolate. The list goes on!
Note to Athletes
If you’re an endurance athlete doing rigorous exercise regularly, then it’s particularly important to intake magnesium as part of your diet and recovery process. Magnesium is used in the energy-conversion process, and if your magnesium levels are low, it can result in a lack of energy and a build-up of lactic acid. Not want you want on race-day!