Magnesium Deficiency

Magnesium Deficiency – Symptoms, Causes and Treatment

Magnesium deficiency can be attributed to a diet high in processed foods and a lack of magnesium-rich foods such as nuts, whole grains, beans and green leafy vegetables. Flour refining, rice polishing and sugar extraction remove almost all magnesium from most flours and rice. Many experts believe even with the right diet, produce may still be grown in mineral-depleted soil and thus be lacking in this vital nutrient.

Most of our drinking water now is purified of minerals like calcium and magnesium along with the other less desirable additives.

What Causes Magnesium Deficiency and What Are The Symptoms?

Excessive alcohol or caffeine intake, heavy physical exercise (sweating), stress, diuretics, HRT and the Pill can all contribute to loss of magnesium.

The first signs of deficiency can be subtle. As most magnesium is stored in the tissues, leg cramps, foot pain, or muscle ‘twitches’ can be the first sign of deficiency.

Magnesium levels drop at night, leading to poor REM sleep cycles and unrefreshed sleep.

Headaches, blurred vision, mouth ulcers, fatigue and anxiety are also early signs of depletion.

Low magnesium can also be associated with TMJ issues.

Magnesium depletion is often misdiagnosed because it does not show up in blood tests – only 1% of the body’s magnesium is stored in the blood.

If you are magnesium deficient a good magnesium supplement with cofactors may be of additional benefit along with making adjustments to your diet and lifestyle.

Call or pop into the office in Kenmore to see what I as a holistic dentist would recommend.