Magnesium is one of the 12 trace elements vital for humans. Lack of magnesium in the body: symptoms, treatment, prevention - this is what I want to talk about now.
About magnesium
The human body contains approximately 50-70 grams of magnesium. To a greater extent, it is found in the bones (about 60%), as well as in the liquid medium, muscles and soft tissues. It must be said that the highest concentration of magnesium is in the cells of the heart and brain. This element is also designed to calm the nervous system, regulate balance and provide the body with proper peace.
Reasons
At the very beginning, I want to consider why a lack of magnesium can occur (symptoms will be discussed a little later). So, the causes of the shortage are most often the following:
- Various diseases (for example, diabetes or kidney disease).
- Gene predisposition (heredity).
- Using certain medications (such as diuretics).
These are all reasons related to the spheremedicine. However, household factors can also cause a lack of magnesium in the body:
- Hard work, physical activity.
- Stress, nervous shocks.
- Exposure to high temperatures. It can be work conditions or passion for saunas.
- Maternal magnesium deficiency is common during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
- Well, too much passion for coffee or alcohol can lead to this condition.
Food
Well, and, of course, malnutrition can lead to a deficiency of magnesium and potassium in the body. Two simple points are important here:
- A person from food simply does not receive the amount of magnesium necessary for the normal functioning of the body. Now this has become especially relevant, because the use of certain chemicals prevents plants from absorbing this trace element from the soil.
- The body's absorption of magnesium can be reduced if a person has an excess of calcium and phosphorus (people who eat fatty foods too often are prone to this).
First signs
What are the very first signs of magnesium deficiency in the body? So, doctors distinguish the following two points:
- Paresthesia. In simple terms, a person will have impaired sensitivity (as a result - numbness, tingling, itching). It is also possible to experience the so-called "goosebumps" - the appearance of pimples on the skin, as in the cold.
- Explicitor hidden tetany. This is a condition characterized by convulsive syndrome, as well as increased musculoskeletal excitability.
Symptom 1. Nervous system
If a person is deficient in magnesium, symptoms may include irritation, poor sleep, anxiety, and baseless fears. And all because it is the nervous system that suffers due to the lack of this microelement in the body. It is worth saying that a constant lack of magnesium can even cause a depressive state in a patient, which is almost impossible to cope with without medication.
Symptom 2. Sleep
What else is fraught with a lack of magnesium? Symptoms may relate to the natural rest of the human body, i.e. sleep. If this microelement is in the body in insufficient quantities:
- May have trouble sleeping. These can be simple violations, when a person wakes up for no reason. Or it could be insomnia.
- An important indicator of a lack of magnesium in the body is fatigue after sleep. However, this only works if the person's sleep was full in time (norm: continuous sleep for at least 7 hours).
- With a lack of magnesium, a person can constantly have nightmares.
Symptom 3. Learning ability
Why is magnesium deficiency dangerous for children? Symptoms in this case are as follows: decreased attention, deterioration of memory, absent-mindedness. That is, the child almost completely loses the ability tolearning. However, the same applies to adults. This can also add flickering before the eyes, dizziness, nervous tics and persistent headaches that do not go away.
Symptom 4. Cardiovascular system
The work of the cardiovascular system is negatively affected by the lack of magnesium in the body. Symptoms may include:
- Irregular heartbeat. That is, a person may develop an arrhythmia.
- Possible pressure surges. It can go up or down.
- Magnesium is the body's most powerful protector against cholesterol. And with its lack, a positive environment is formed for the formation of plaques and blood clots, which can clog blood vessels.
Symptom 5. Muscular system
What else can a lack of magnesium in the body affect? Symptoms can also affect the muscles of a person.
- May cause seizures. Especially often there are calf cramps, as well as cramps in the feet and hands.
- Frequent muscle twitches. Regardless of the time of day or physical exertion of a person.
- Also, with magnesium deficiency, causeless muscle pains are possible.
Symptom 6. GIT
What other problems can a lack of magnesium and potassium lead to? Symptoms may relate to the human gastrointestinal tract. In this case, the following symptoms may be observed:
- Intestinal or stomach cramps.
- Frequentdiarrhea (regardless of the food that the person previously ate) or constipation.
Symptom 7. Beauty and appearance
What else affects the lack of calcium and magnesium? Symptoms in this case may relate to the person's appearance:
- With magnesium deficiency, brittle nails are often observed.
- Hair loss is also possible.
- There is a general weakness of the body, regardless of the time of day.
- May be sensitive to weather changes.
Potassium and calcium
It is worth saying that magnesium itself is not as strong an element as it might seem at first glance. It brings much more benefit in tandem with potassium or calcium.
- Magnesium and potassium. These two elements are actively involved in the work of the cardiovascular system. They ensure the conduction of a heart impulse, maintain the elasticity of the walls of blood vessels, slow down the growth of atherosclerotic plaques, etc.
- Magnesium and calcium. These two elements are also important for the cardiovascular system. But they are also necessary for the normal functioning of the muscular system of the human body. The ideal ratio of calcium and magnesium is 2:1.
Treatment
We figured out what magnesium deficiency is (symptoms). The treatment of this condition is what else needs to be said. So, resorting to the use of medicines is necessary only in some, special cases:
- With arterial hypertension.
- For type 2 diabetes.
- Ischemicheart disease.
- Atherosclerosis.
- Arrhythmias.
- Alcoholism.
In all these cases, these drugs should be prescribed exclusively by a doctor. After all, self-medication can lead to the formation of such a problem as hypermagnesemia, i.e., an excessive amount of magnesium in the body.
An important point: during the drug intake of magnesium, it is most often prescribed along with vitamins B6. And all because inorganic magnesium s alts in the human intestine are practically not adsorbed, which can cause diarrhea. Also, this vitamin also helps transport this trace element to the cells.
Prevention
Having considered the symptoms and causes of a lack of magnesium in the body, you must also talk about the preventive measures that will be relevant in this case. Even with the slightest deficiency of magnesium, you can make up for its lack with the help of proper nutrition. With a normal diet, the daily intake of magnesium is 200-400 mg. Sometimes, when calculating, scientists give the following formula: 4 mg of magnesium should be eaten per 1 kg of weight. The maximum allowable daily dose of magnesium for a person is 800 mg.
Products
What foods contain this essential trace element?
- Barley and oatmeal, as well as cereals.
- Fish: cod, sea bass, carp, flounder, halibut, mackerel, herring, shrimp.
- Vegetables: peas, beans, white cabbage, sunflower seeds.
- Fruits: lemons, apples, figs, bananas, grapefruits,apricots.
- Nuts sweet almonds.
- Milk and cottage cheese.
