Magnesium is the fourth most common mineral that can be found in our body. Yet, I myself would admit that I don’t know much about it as much as, let’s say… calcium, iron or potassium. It was only recently that I’ve had a new found zest for this “ancient mineral” as they call it. During my last visit to the doctor, I was diagnosed as having an irregular heartbeat. Just as any other, I immediately placed my blame on too much fat, which is wrong.
The doctor told me I was displaying symptoms of magnesium deficiency; something that I never even knew existed.
In this article, I’m going to try (in my own little way) to abolish our lack of knowledge with this obscure yet common disease. Because I’m sure you as well have heard it many times that in order to fix a problem, you must acknowledge that there is one first. Read this article and you will realize what you are probably missing.
Symptoms of Magnesium Deficiency
Magnesium is one of the many minerals that our body depends on to maintain its daily functions. But more importantly, it’s a mineral that has much to do with the nervous system more than anything. Thus, the signs of lack of it are:
- Lethargy
- Below average memory
- Depression
- Irregular heartbeat (I found out too late)
- Muscle tremors
- Reoccurring muscle cramps
- Nausea
- Loss of appetite
- And at extreme cases Epilepsy
- Experts have even pointed out its deficiency as a probable cause for Parkinson’s disease late in life.
Where to Get It
Once you know where magnesium deficiency could lead to, the next question of “what part of the grocery should I be headed?” follows soon after. Consumption equals prevention when we are talking about avoiding its signs and symptoms. Being conscious at what vitamins and minerals are contained with the food we eat is the habit that we should develop after reading this.
According to studies, adult men need about 400 milligrams of magnesium in their daily intake, while women need about 310. To maximize its consumption, it’s a good idea to eat food that are rich in it such as almonds and cashews. Both contain about 75-80 milligrams of magnesium every ounce. Foods such as whole wheat bread, wheat cereal, peanut butter and chocolate can round out the rest of what’s suggested.
Its Top Health Benefits
Magnesium reduces the risk of having heart diseases – since it is a fact, that magnesium’s primary job in the body is to control the impulses on our nervous system, having enough of it throughout life prevents a person having to deal with cardiovascular problems. A disease that stems from having an irregular heartbeat.
Magnesium plays a key role in stopping depression, insomnia and headaches – as you can see, these are included in its deficiency’s symptoms. They are problems related to not having adequate regulatory agent in the nervous system.
Magnesium Regulates Hypertension – Magnesium supplements, which have Magnesium Citrate, are also marketed this way since they also naturally affect how our blood flows throughout our body. Veins and arteries are regulated by magnesium, thus it also helps in maintaining our blood pressure.