Magnesium deficiency

Magnesium deficiency is not an independent clinical picture, but an acute or chronic deficiency condition. However, it can trigger and justify various clinical pictures and functional disorders in the body. In most cases, the magnesium deficiency initially goes unnoticed. It is generally believed that there is enough magnesium in food.

What is Magnesium Deficiency?

Magnesium deficiency is defined as the lack of sufficient magnesium in the organism. No deficiency can be seen in the blood count, because homeostasis of all required substances is always present in the blood.

This means: all the nutrients required are available in the required amount. If they are not supplied through food, the organism makes use of the body's own depots or from bones, teeth and tissue. Acute magnesium deficiency is more likely to be inferred from other symptoms, for example leg cramps after exercise or in old age.

The chronic magnesium deficiency is another problem. It has received little attention from medicine so far. Chronic magnesium deficiency can be involved in the development of numerous functional disorders in the body.

causes

As causes of an acute or chronic Magnesium deficiency Exercise, profuse sweating, poor diet and increasing age are possible options. A diet rich in sugar, low in vital substances and accompanied by dehydrating drinks can already trigger a magnesium deficiency.

Nutritionists hold industrially processed food, depleted and over-fertilized soils, plants damaged as a result, incorrect food preparation methods and incorrect diets responsible for the magnesium deficiency. In addition, the absorption of magnesium depends on other vitamins. If these are insufficiently supplied, a magnesium deficiency arises even with a generally good supply.

These vitamins are also partially eliminated during cooking or frying. The countless chemical pollutants to which humans are exposed often do the rest. Magnesium deficiency is therefore viewed by numerous scientists as a widespread disease. However, the majority of medical professionals deny that there is any magnesium deficiency at all.

Symptoms, ailments & signs

The symptoms of an acute magnesium deficiency are usually caused by cramps. However, a deficiency situation can also remain completely without complaints. In addition to cramps in the legs or toes, other complaints can also be reported. These do not always indicate a magnesium deficiency. They are too unspecific for that.

A deficiency in magnesium can cause calf cramps and muscle twitching. The heart, one of the most important muscles in the body, can also suffer from magnesium deficiency. This may attach itself to symptoms such as dizziness, palpitations or palpitations, exhaustion, inexplicable tiredness or inner restlessness. With a healthy diet rich in vital substances, neither palpitations nor palpitations should occur.

However, due to age, stress or certain illnesses, the consumption of minerals can be higher than usual. In this case, an acute magnesium deficiency can arise. An acute magnesium deficiency can also lead to non-specific digestive complaints such as constipation or diarrhea and headaches.

Nobody ascribes such symptoms to a lack of minerals without a reason. If the symptoms are unclear, a doctor should be consulted if they persist over a long period of time. If a symptom is suspected that could indicate a magnesium deficiency, only a blood test can provide information. Magnesium deficiency is more common, especially in pregnant women. Self-treatments are not recommended.

Diagnosis & course

Diagnosing an acute Magnesium deficiency you often meet yourself. A chronic magnesium deficiency, however, only becomes noticeable through illness. The nervous system, muscles, blood vessels, kidneys, immune system or skin all depend on the absorption of magnesium. For them, magnesium deficiency means a reduction in their activities.

If the magnesium deficiency is temporary, it will lead to a chronic deficiency of mild kind over a long period of time. Thanks to a one-sided and low-mineral diet, diet-related diseases develop. Often the magnesium deficiency involved is not specifically diagnosed or considered.

American studies have shown that more than half of the subjects examined in a 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 develop, the development of which is usually not attributed to a magnesium deficiency. Naturally, the magnesium deficiency does not have to be the only cause.

Complications

In general, a magnesium deficiency has a very negative effect on the patient's health. This can lead to serious complications, which, however, depend heavily 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 easily.

Those affected primarily suffer from tiredness and fatigue. The immune system is also weakened by this deficiency, so that inflammations or infections occur more frequently. The wound healing of the affected person is also significantly delayed. The further course of this complaint depends heavily on the cause of this defect, so that it is usually not possible to make a general prediction.

In most cases, magnesium deficiency is treated with the help of a strict diet. This leads to success relatively quickly and the symptoms disappear again after a few days. If the disease is chronic in nature and the root cause cannot be treated, the affected person must take supplements. There are no complications. If the treatment is successful, there will be no further complications.

When should you go to the doctor?

If cramps recur, a medical check-up should take place. If the cramps occur in the extremities, this often indicates a deficiency symptom that should be clarified. Sudden problems in locomotion due to the existing impairments increase the general risk of accidents and must be treated in good time. Twitching or other irregularities in the muscle fibers are other indications of a health malfunction that should be investigated by a doctor.

Exhaustion, increased tiredness, exhaustion or fatigue are cause for concern. If the symptoms persist for several weeks or months, a doctor's visit is required. Disorders of the heart rhythm, lack of energy or a decrease in normal physical performance should be examined and treated by a doctor. Headaches, listlessness and changes in behavior indicate discrepancies that require action.

Disorders of the digestive tract, dizziness or racing heart are signs of an existing health problem that should be clarified by a doctor. In the event of inner restlessness, abnormal behavior or difficulties coping with everyday life, the person concerned needs medical help. The loss of well-being, mood swings, listlessness and withdrawal from the social environment indicate an impairment that should be examined more closely in medical tests.

Treatment & Therapy

Treatment of Magnesium deficiency consists of oral administration of magnesium in the acute case. Otherwise, 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 results in a magnesium deficiency.

Chronic acidification of the organism occurs. Calcium and magnesium are mainly used to neutralize acids. The acidification can be reversed with predominantly alkaline food. Therefore, the basic treatment for magnesium deficiency is always a change in diet.

Instead of industrially processed food, natural and unprocessed foods are chosen. In addition, the diseases that have resulted from acidosis and magnesium deficiency must be treated individually. The administration of magnesium alone is often not enough here. The magnesium deficiency is part of a disease process that is more complex.

Outlook & forecast

A magnesium deficiency can generally be remedied quickly. A change in diet and a temporary supply of magnesium can be expected to compensate for the deficiency symptoms. However, it must be taken into account that the magnesium deficiency is not an independent clinical picture. 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 remedied.

If the deficiency can be attributed to an improper diet, the absorption of the nutrients should be checked. This is particularly advisable for athletes or people with intense sporting activities. Freedom from symptoms is achieved if a diet rich in vital substances and low in sugar takes place. If the deficiency appears due to psychological stress or severe stress, cooperation with a therapist should be sought.

If left untreated, it usually remains in a constant portion. Stressors must be minimized and experiences should be processed well so that the consumption of nutrients is well regulated by the organism. Medical treatment should also be sought if the cause is age-related. The organism changes its consumption over the life span and has to be supported in some phases of life by the administration of medicines so that symptoms are free.

prevention

The best prevention against Magnesium deficiency is a balanced diet rich in vital substances with a high proportion of whole grains, fruit and vegetables. Just drinking a good mineral or medicinal water can provide the daily magnesium requirement.

At the same time you have to take in all the accompanying substances that are necessary for magnesium intake. If you have a magnesium deficiency, you should avoid fluorinated toothpastes, mineral waters and table salts.

Aftercare

In severe cases, a lack of magnesium can lead to cardiac arrhythmias. Further consequences of a magnesium deficiency are muscle tension, calf cramps, fatigue, gastrointestinal complaints and dizziness. Sometimes, however, there are only psychological symptoms such as inner restlessness, increased irritability, concentration disorders, loss of interest and apathy or nervousness. Many important processes in the body can be impaired by a permanent magnesium deficiency.

This includes, for example, the work of muscles and the heart, the strength of bones and teeth, the functions of the nervous system, the excitability of nerve and muscle cells, the development of our genetic material and DNA. The metabolism is impaired as a whole, since magnesium is responsible for numerous metabolic processes.

If the magnesium deficiency persists, it can have serious consequences for the body. Especially in older people, this causes cardiac arrhythmias, an accelerated heartbeat and heart muscle insufficiency. In addition, there is a sharp drop in weight and the ability to think is significantly slowed down. Magnesium deficiency is extremely dangerous in pregnant women.

If the pregnant woman suffers from a magnesium deficiency, this can lead to muscle cramps, muscle twitching, persistent muscle tremors, sensory disturbances or movement disorders. In addition, severe magnesium deficiency can lead to premature labor or a miscarriage.

You can do that yourself

A magnesium deficiency can usually be remedied by changing eating habits and making small adjustments in lifestyle. It is advisable to include foods with a lot of magnesium in the menu - e.g. pumpkin seeds, cocoa, legumes or sesame seeds. Bananas, couscous and nettles are also suitable and usually enough to compensate for a slight deficiency.

In the case of severe deficiency symptoms, the doctor can also prescribe food supplements. Suitable preparations are magnesium chelate, magnesium orotate or mineral powder with active ingredients from Sango sea corals. Belladonna and Colocynthis are alternatives from homeopathy. In addition to these dietary measures, it is important to determine the causes of the deficiency in magnesium. Sometimes the symptoms are based on a disease that needs to be clarified and treated by a doctor. Excessive sweating during exercise and regular alcohol consumption can also be triggers. Both can be counteracted by changing your habits.

A doctor should always be consulted with typical symptoms. The doctor can ensure that the magnesium deficiency is not a problem and can provide further tips and measures on how the magnesium reserves in the body can be replenished quickly.