Causes of Magnesium Deficiency
- The most likely cause for magnesium deficiency in people today is a lack of it in their diets. Foods that contain a good amount of magnesium aren't hard to find, though. It's just a matter of working them into your daily routine. Some of these foods are whole wheat flour, artichokes, oat bran, almonds, cashews, pumpkin seeds, bananas, and almost every kind of bean you can think of.
- Regularly functioning kidneys can usually absorb the proper amount of magnesium required for the body, even if the diet is a bit lacking in it. But diuretics (blood pressure pills, water pills, etc.) or alcohol abuse can cause an excess amount of magnesium to be flushed from the system through the urine. Chronic diarrhea or excessive vomiting can also result in a magnesium deficiency.
- Any gastrointestinal diseases, such as Crohn's disease, can affect the body's absorption of magnesium. This is primarily because one-third to one-half of the dietary magnesium absorbed by the body is taken in through the intestines. Improperly working intestines will lead to a lack of the necessary amount of magnesium required daily.
- Many of the signs for magnesium deficiency are vague, and could be the result of something else. But a lack of magnesium could result in depression, anxiety, higher levels of irritability, loss of appetite, nausea, insomnia, irregular heartbeat, muscle contractions or cramps, numbness, tingling, and fatigue. If you think you may be mildly deficient in magnesium, you can change your diet, or take over-the-counter magnesium supplements. It's always best to speak with your doctor first however, to see if you really are deficient, and if so how severe that deficiency really is.