Magnesium Deficiency :What Is Magnesium Deficiency?
Magnesium Deficiency :What Is Magnesium Deficiency?
This deficiency occurs when your dietary intake of magnesium doesn’t meet the requirements of your body. This can result in several different levels of magnesium deficiency that can range from being light to severe and even life threatening. Over time, the longer your intake of magnesium is in a deficit; the more likely you are to progress into a state of severe deficiency.
Magnesium Deficiency Becoming Common
There are a few very important reasons that this deficiency is on the rise. One of them is simply due to people not eating a diet that is high in magnesium rich foods. Typically, these days most people are eating way too many processed foods rather than foods high in magnesium. Some magnesium rich foods include nuts, leafy greens (broccoli and cooked spinach), seafood (halibut), beans, whole grains, magnesium supplements like magnesium citrate and seeds (pumpkin).
Testing for this Deficiency
Second, the food that we are growing and eating on a daily basis is becoming deficient itself because it is grown in magnesium depleted soil. This is especially common in the United States where corporate farmers are reliant on the use of fertilizers that generally do not contain magnesium.
The last reason I would like to point out is that some prescription medications can have magnesium lowering effects and/or increase your magnesium requirements. I won’t go into detail discussing which medications have effects on magnesium, but I suggest you do some research and ask your doctor for more information if you have concerns.
Magnesium Deficiency Symptoms
Magnesium is used in hundreds of biological mechanisms going on in our bodies. Therefore, being magnesium deficient can disrupt several processes causing a vast array of symptoms. This deficiency typically includes symptoms such as hyperactivity, muscular problems (cramps, spasms, twitching), sleeping problems, impaired neurological function, heart conditions, anxiety, and depression. For more information regarding magnesium deficiency symptoms click on this link: Magnesium Deficiency Symptoms.
Testing for Magnesium Deficiency
Generally, the way we go about testing magnesium levels in a clinical setting is highly misleading and won’t accurately distinguish whether or not you have a magnesium deficiency. The most typical test given for magnesium levels is a serum blood test. This test doesn’t provide accurate results because serum levels of magnesium must be maintained or otherwise you heart will stop working. Your body will take the magnesium from other parts of your body in order to maintain consistency in serum levels. Therefore, the results of this test will indicate that your magnesium levels are normal unless you are about to die.
So what test is accurate for determining whether or not you suffer from magnesium deficiency? The red blood cell magnesium test will provide you with accurate results to determine if you are magnesium deficient. This test measures the amount of magnesium present inside your red blood cells giving you an indication of your overall intracellular magnesium levels. If these levels are low, you are surely suffering from magnesium deficiency.
Treating Magnesium Deficiency
The best way to treat this deficiency is by increasing your intake of magnesium every day. You can do this by eating more magnesium rich foods that are healthy choices and by taking a magnesium supplement. I recommend magnesium supplements that are chelated such as magnesium glycinate, magnesium taurate, magnesium orotate, and magnesium fumarate as well as the addition of topical magnesium which is magnesium chloride in solution. It is good to take several different forms when restoring your magnesium levels. Severe cases may need to be treated by intravenous magnesium sulfate solution.
I suggest you take action to find out if you are suffering from magnesium deficiency. The odds are pretty good that you and many of your loved ones are magnesium deficient. Start making healthier food choices and include more magnesium rich foods in your diet. Magnesium supplements are a great addition to your diet for increasing your magnesium intake. Two of my favorite recommendations are magnesium glycinate and magnesium oil.