The Benefits of Magnesium: Blood Sugars, Sleep, Muscles, Headaches, Energy & Mood

What is magnesium? Magnesium is an essential cofactor for numerous enzymes that regulate a wide array of biochemical pathways crucial for overall health. It plays a pivotal role in energy production and muscle function, which makes low exercise tolerance an early indicator of magnesium deficiency.

Magnesium is the most abundant minerals in the body, (4th most common mineral in the body). It’s crucial for regulating numerous metabolic and cellular pathways.

This essential mineral is vital for muscle function, blood pressure control, energy production, DNA and protein synthesis, neurotransmitter function, hormonal balance, and cognitive health.

Magnesium also plays a pivotal role in maintaining bone health and regulating various aspects of cardiovascular function.

What does magnesium do?

Magnesium helps over 300 enzyme reactions, contributing to vital processes such as protein synthesis for hair, nails, and muscle growth, energy production, bone development, muscle function, nerve health, and glucose metabolism.

Imagine magnesium as the choreographer in a well-coordinated dance within your body. Its presence ensures that everything moves smoothly and functions optimally. Without adequate magnesium, this choreography can falter, affecting critical processes like energy production, muscle and nerve function, and blood sugar regulation. Thus, maintaining sufficient magnesium levels is fundamental for overall health and well-being.

Because magnesium helps lower blood pressure, it acts as a natural beta blocker, potentially reducing the risk of arrhythmia and tachycardia. These conditions involve rapid and irregular heartbeats, which significantly elevate the risk of stroke and cardiac arrest.

What is Magnesium deficiency?

Magnesium deficiency occurs when the body lacks sufficient magnesium to support its essential metabolic and cellular functions. Magnesium is vital for various processes such as muscle and brain function, blood sugar regulation, blood pressure control, and energy production. When there is a shortage of magnesium in the body, these critical functions may be compromised, leading to potential health issues.

Symptoms of magnesium deficiency are frequently underestimated despite their substantial impact on health and well-being. Magnesium, an indispensable mineral, plays a critical role in a wide range of bodily functions, including energy production and regulation of muscle function.

Magnesium deficiency can arise from various causes beyond inadequate dietary intake of magnesium-rich foods. According to research published in Open Heart, chronic diseases, medications, reduced magnesium content in food crops, and the prevalence of refined and processed foods collectively contribute to a widespread risk of magnesium deficiency.

Conditions like Crohn’s disease, low stomach acid, and chronic diarrhea can hinder magnesium absorption in the intestines, exacerbating deficiency. Certain medications such as antibiotics, diuretics, and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are known to accelerate magnesium loss or impair absorption, further complicating the issue.

Excessive alcohol consumption can diminish the body’s ability to absorb minerals, increasing the likelihood of magnesium deficiency among regular drinkers.

Signs of magnesium deficiency

These signs can be subtle and often go undetected by standard blood tests, as most magnesium resides within cells rather than in the bloodstream. This can result in what’s known as subclinical magnesium deficiency, where the body has enough magnesium to perform basic functions but not enough for optimal health and energy levels. Common symptoms of magnesium deficiency include:

Recognizing these signs early can prompt dietary changes or supplementation to prevent more severe health issues associated with magnesium deficiency.

The impacts of magnesium deficiency are diverse and can affect various physiological processes, leading to several common symptoms:

  • High blood pressure
  • Migraine headaches
  • Poor blood sugar control
  • Muscle cramps and spasms
  • Anxiety and depression
  • Muscle weakness
  • Insomnia
  • Numbness or tingling
  • Weak or brittle bones (osteoporosis): Magnesium is crucial for calcium absorption and bone health.
  • Muscle cramps, weakness, and stiffness: Magnesium plays a key role in muscle contraction and relaxation.
  • Fatigue: Insufficient magnesium can lead to decreased energy production.
  • Twitches or tremors: Magnesium deficiency can cause involuntary muscle movements.
  • Brain fog and other mental issues: Magnesium is important for neurological function and mood regulation.
  • High blood pressure: Magnesium helps regulate blood pressure by relaxing blood vessels.
  • Asthma: Low magnesium levels may contribute to bronchial spasms.
  • Heart arrhythmia or palpitations: Magnesium is involved in maintaining normal heart rhythm.

Additionally, magnesium is vital for the absorption and activation of vitamin D. Therefore, deficiency in magnesium can exacerbate vitamin D-related symptoms such as palpitations, insomnia, headaches, anxiety, and restlessness. This highlights the critical role magnesium plays in maintaining overall health and well-being.

Magnesium’s Deficiency Testing and Diagnosis

Clinical magnesium deficiency is diagnosed when blood magnesium levels fall below 1.3 mg per deciliter. This threshold indicates a significant depletion of magnesium in the bloodstream, which may necessitate intervention to restore optimal levels and prevent associated health complications.

Blood tests offer limited insight into magnesium levels, often necessitating a more reliable diagnostic approach when deficiency is suspected. In cases where clinical symptoms suggest magnesium deficiency, a magnesium loading test proves invaluable.

This diagnostic procedure involves intravenously administering magnesium and subsequently measuring the rate of urinary magnesium excretion. By doing so, healthcare providers can obtain a more comprehensive assessment of magnesium status, offering clearer guidance for appropriate treatment and management.

Avoid These Magnesium Types

These types of magnesium should be avoided or only be taken under the supervision of a healthcare provider:  

  • Magnesium sulfate 
  • Magnesium oxide 
  • Magnesium chloride 
  • Magnesium carbonate 

Food List of Magnesium Foods

Sources of magnesium vary widely, and while whole grains are often recommended, they contain phytates, which can hinder magnesium absorption by as much as 60 percent. Fortunately, there are plenty of other magnesium-rich foods with lower phytate content. Here are some top sources:

  • Pumpkin seeds
  • Chia seeds
  • Spinach
  • Avocados
  • Green leafy vegetables
  • Dark chocolate
  • Almonds
  • Oily fish
  • Dairy products
  • Magnesium supplements

These foods provide ample magnesium without the inhibitory effects of phytates, making them beneficial choices for maintaining adequate magnesium levels in the body.

Foods High in Magnesium

Magnesium isn’t solely sourced from vegetables; a diverse range of foods can help meet daily magnesium requirements.

  • Nuts and seeds: Almonds, cashews, Brazil nuts, flaxseeds, and chia seeds are rich in magnesium.
  • Fish: Fatty fish such as mackerel provide substantial amounts of magnesium. Opt for wild-caught fish to minimize potential health risks associated with farmed varieties.
  • Avocados: Besides being potassium-rich, avocados also contain significant amounts of magnesium.

To ensure adequate intake from these food sources:

  • Consume at least five servings of vegetables daily.
  • Aim to include two servings (about 100g each) of oily fish per week.

Understanding the magnesium content in various foods helps in proactively preventing deficiencies. This approach ensures sufficient magnesium intake for maintaining overall health and well-being.

Benefits of Magnesium

Magnesium plays a crucial role in maintaining strong bones and is vital for numerous enzymatic reactions necessary for energy production, protein synthesis, muscle function, and hormonal balance.

Research published in Scientifica highlights several health benefits associated with magnesium supplementation. Here are various health conditions that may benefit from adequate magnesium intake:

  • Hypertension
  • Metabolic syndrome
  • Migraines
  • Diabetes
  • Severe asthma
  • Hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol)
  • Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
  • Anxiety and depression
  • Cardiac arrhythmia

Ensuring sufficient magnesium levels through diet or supplementation may help in preventing and managing these health issues effectively.

Magnesium is a crucial nutrient essential for optimal health, playing a role in regulating blood glucose levels, supporting healthy enzyme function, and enhancing insulin sensitivity.

8 Reasons Magnesium will help you sleep:

Magnesium is renowned for its ability to promote restful sleep by calming the nervous system and facilitating relaxation throughout the body. Here are eight key reasons why magnesium can help you achieve a sound sleep:

  1. Increases serotonin: Magnesium boosts serotonin levels, which enhances mood and lowers stress levels, contributing to improved sleep quality. Serotonin also plays a role in the production of melatonin, the sleep hormone.
  2. Regulates GABA: Magnesium influences GABA, a neurotransmitter that promotes relaxation and reduces neural excitability. By enhancing GABA activity, magnesium helps calm the nervous system and prepares the body for sleep.
  3. Decreases adrenaline: High levels of adrenaline, associated with the fight-or-flight response, can hinder sleep onset. Magnesium helps to lower adrenaline levels, facilitating a calm state conducive to sleep.
  4. Muscle relaxation: Magnesium aids in relaxing all types of muscles, including skeletal muscles and those in internal organs. This relaxation can alleviate muscle cramps, spasms, and overall tension, promoting physical comfort during sleep.
  5. Reduces inflammation: By lowering C-reactive protein levels and decreasing inflammation in the body, magnesium helps alleviate pain that can disrupt sleep and contributes to a more restful night.
  6. Helps restless leg syndrome: Magnesium has been shown to alleviate symptoms of restless leg syndrome, a condition that can severely disrupt sleep due to uncomfortable sensations in the legs.
  7. Supports heart health: Magnesium helps to mitigate heart issues such as angina and arrhythmias, and supports better oxygen delivery to the heart. Improved heart health correlates with better sleep quality.
  8. Reduces PMS symptoms: For individuals experiencing menstrual cramps and other symptoms of PMS, magnesium’s muscle-relaxing properties can alleviate cramping and discomfort, promoting better sleep during this time.

Incorporating magnesium-rich foods or supplements into your routine can play a significant role in enhancing sleep quality by addressing these multiple pathways that influence relaxation and overall health.

What Does Magnesium do?

Magnesium is a mineral with critical functions that impact various aspects of our health. It participates in over 300 enzyme reactions, contributing to vital processes such as protein synthesis for hair, nails, and muscle growth, energy production, bone development, muscle function, nerve health, and glucose metabolism.

Here are six essential functions of magnesium:

  1. Protein Synthesis: Magnesium is essential for creating proteins that form the structural components of our body, including skin, hair, and nails.
  2. Energy Production: Magnesium plays a key role in converting food into usable energy. Insufficient magnesium levels can lead to fatigue and decreased energy levels.
  3. Bone Development and Maintenance: Magnesium supports calcium absorption and regulates hormones involved in maintaining optimal bone density.
  4. Regulation of Muscle Function: Magnesium is crucial for muscle contraction and relaxation processes. Deficiency in magnesium often results in muscle cramps and tension.
  5. Supports Nerve Health: Magnesium helps maintain the electrolyte balance within cells, which is essential for transmitting electrical signals throughout the nervous system.
  6. Carbohydrate Metabolism: Magnesium improves insulin sensitivity, facilitating better cellular response to insulin signals that regulate blood sugar levels. Adequate magnesium intake promotes healthy glycemic control by supporting various glucose metabolism processes in the body.

Magnesium’s Impact on Blood Pressure

Research indicates that maintaining adequate magnesium levels can help regulate healthy blood pressure. This mineral aids in relaxing the muscles lining our blood vessels, which reduces resistance against the heart’s pumping action, thus lowering elevated pressures.

Magnesium’s Role in Muscle Function

Sufficient magnesium intake is vital for proper muscle function and toning. It facilitates the contraction and relaxation cycles of muscles, thereby preventing cramps or spasms and promoting overall muscle strength and flexibility.

Magnesium’s Importance in Vitamin D Absorption.

Magnesium status also influences the absorption of vitamin D. Studies suggest that low magnesium levels in the bloodstream may hinder the conversion of vitamin D into its active form in the body. This impairment can lead to symptoms of deficiency, despite adequate dietary or supplemental vitamin D intake.

What Are the Best Types of Magnesium?

Magnesium exists in nature primarily as salts combined with other compounds, influencing its absorption rates and biological utilization in the body due to varying characteristics. Several types of magnesium supplements are available, each tailored to specific needs and purposes.

  • Magnesium citrate is a widely used supplement combining magnesium with citric acid, known for its high bioavailability. It is beneficial for preventing headaches, nocturnal leg cramps, and relieving constipation due to its natural laxative properties.
  • Magnesium glycinate, or magnesium bisglycinate, binds magnesium with glycine. It boasts high bioavailability and is gentle on the stomach, making it suitable for those with sensitive digestive systems. It has a calming effect on the central nervous system, aiding in anxiety relief, stress reduction, and improving sleep quality.
  • Magnesium L-threonate, which crosses the blood-brain barrier, supports brain health and cognitive function. It may help prevent mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression, with studies indicating neuroprotective effects that could benefit age-related memory loss and Alzheimer’s disease.
  • Magnesium malate combines magnesium with malic acid, crucial for energy production in muscle cells. It is often used to alleviate persistent muscle soreness in conditions like fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome.
  • Magnesium taurate includes taurine, supporting blood pressure regulation and cardiovascular health. It aids in blood sugar control, making it advantageous for individuals with metabolic disorders such as obesity and diabetes.
  • Magnesium orotate combines magnesium with orotic acid, facilitating magnesium transport across cell membranes. It enhances cellular energy production, promoting endurance and strength. Research suggests it may be beneficial for heart health, particularly in managing symptoms of severe congestive heart failure.
  • Magnesium lactate is known for its gentle effect on the digestive system and is suitable for individuals requiring higher magnesium doses to maintain healthy levels.
  • Magnesium chloride is commonly found in transdermal magnesium products absorbed through sweat glands and hair follicles. While it may not significantly increase overall magnesium levels, it effectively manages muscle tension and joint pains.
  • Each type of magnesium supplement offers unique benefits tailored to specific health needs, making it essential to choose based on individual requirements and preferences.

Try To Avoid These Types of Magnesium

Certain types of magnesium supplements are considered less favorable due to their poor absorption rates, potential side effects, and interactions with medications. It’s important to exercise caution with these forms and seek guidance from a healthcare professional when considering their use.

Magnesium sulfate, commonly known as Epsom salt, is primarily used externally and not as a dietary supplement. It acts as a strong laxative and can cause significant gastrointestinal discomfort, including diarrhea and stomach cramps.

Magnesium carbonate, while used in some supplements, is poorly absorbed by the body and less effective at boosting magnesium levels compared to other forms. Its chalky texture and taste make it less palatable for many individuals.

Magnesium oxide, known for its low bioavailability, often causes gastrointestinal disturbances such as diarrhea. High doses of magnesium oxide can lead to magnesium toxicity, which may result in dangerously high levels of magnesium in the blood.

Magnesium hydroxide, another poorly absorbed form, can interfere with iron metabolism and the effectiveness of medications, including antibiotics and osteoporosis treatments. Prolonged use of magnesium hydroxide can lead to chronic diarrhea, dehydration, and electrolyte imbalances.

Given these considerations, it’s advisable to choose magnesium supplements with higher bioavailability and minimal side effects.

The Balance of Minerals: Magnesium and Calcium

Overconsumption of calcium can hinder the absorption of magnesium, so it’s advisable to refrain from taking calcium supplements unless closely monitored by a healthcare provider.

In the intricate dance of minerals within our bodies, magnesium and calcium take center stage. Calcium is renowned for its role in bone health and cellular signaling.

Meanwhile, magnesium, often associated with relaxation, also performs numerous critical functions. The relationship between these two minerals is finely tuned and essential for overall health.

When magnesium levels decrease, calcium levels typically increase, and vice versa. This delicate balance is crucial for maintaining optimal bodily functions. However, disruptions in this balance can lead to magnesium deficiency, which can contribute to various health issues.

Furthermore, low magnesium levels often coincide with decreased potassium levels. These minerals collaborate closely, and a deficiency in one often implies a deficiency in the other.

To address these interdependencies, many dietary supplements and foods combine magnesium and potassium, recognizing their synergistic benefits when consumed together.

The Hazards of Intracellular Hypercalcemia

Excessive calcium levels inside cells, known as intracellular hypercalcemia, pose significant health risks. This condition can lead to a range of issues such as high blood pressure, anxiety, migraines, inflammation, and potentially even cancer, all stemming from an imbalance of calcium within cellular environments.

Interestingly, medications called calcium channel blockers are prescribed to counteract high blood pressure by impeding the accumulation of calcium inside cells. By doing so, these medications help to relax arteries, preventing them from stiffening due to excess calcium and thereby reducing blood pressure.

In addition to their role in managing hypertension, calcium channel blockers can also alleviate symptoms associated with Raynaud’s disease, a condition affecting blood circulation in the fingers, particularly in cold conditions. These medications work by inhibiting muscle contractions in blood vessels, thereby enhancing blood flow and improving symptoms.

Furthermore, calcium channel blockers have shown benefits in managing asthma by easing bronchospasms. They achieve this by preventing the contraction of smooth muscle in the lungs, thereby providing relief from asthma symptoms.

Please consider consulting healthcare providers for personalized recommendations based on individual health needs.

Understanding the Calcium Confusion

Calcium, an essential mineral, primarily resides outside our cells in higher concentrations. However, when there’s an excess of calcium, it can lead to stiffness, blood pressure issues, and muscle spasms.

Caution with Calcium Supplements

Taking calcium supplements without integrating them into a balanced diet can exacerbate these issues. Calcium carbonate supplements, likened to consuming rocks, may worsen conditions associated with excess calcium in the body.

The Vitamin D3 Dilemma

Insufficient Vitamin D3 levels can contribute to calcium imbalances. Requirements for Vitamin D3 vary by season, with higher needs during winter months. Deficiency in this vitamin can lead to bone pain, inflammation, and abnormal calcium accumulation, causing stiffness.

The Role of Magnesium

Ensuring adequate magnesium intake is crucial for regulating calcium levels. Magnesium, abundant in leafy greens and essential to chlorophyll—the “blood” of plants—is often lacking in diets. This deficit can impair the body’s ability to manage calcium effectively.

Power of Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3 fatty acids, found notably in fish oils, can mitigate excessive calcium levels. EPA, a type of Omega-3, plays a key role in reducing calcium buildup. Sources like salmon oil and cod liver oil are rich in these beneficial fatty acids.

FAQ

  1. What happens when your body is lacking magnesium? When your body lacks magnesium, essential processes like energy production, DNA synthesis, muscle function, hormone balance, and cognitive health can be compromised. This deficiency can lead to significant health consequences, including metabolic and hormonal imbalances, muscle problems, and deteriorating mental health.
  2. What are signs im magnesium deficient? Signs that your body may be deficient in magnesium include: Low exercise tolerance, Muscle spasms, or cramps, Elevated blood pressure, Arrhythmia (abnormal heart rhythm) Insomnia, or difficulty sleeping, Anxiety.
  3. How much magnesium do I need each day? The recommended daily intake of magnesium ranges from 420 mg for adult men to 320 mg for adult women.
  4. What are the most common magnesium deficiency symptoms? Common symptoms of magnesium deficiency include low exercise tolerance, high blood pressure, muscle cramps, fatigue, irregular heartbeat, weakness, anxiety, and poor blood sugar control.
  5. What are the best sources of magnesium? Excellent dietary sources of magnesium include pumpkin seeds, avocados, dark chocolate, almonds, dairy products, and green leafy vegetables such as spinach, kelp, arugula. and kale.
  6. What causes magnesium deficiency? The primary cause of magnesium deficiency is inadequate dietary intake. However, other factors such as regular alcohol consumption, digestive disorders like Crohn’s disease, and certain medications such as diuretics and antibiotics can also contribute to magnesium deficiency.
  7. What is considered a magnesium deficiency? Magnesium deficiency is typically diagnosed when serum magnesium levels are below 1.3 mg per deciliter. But, Blood tests may not always reflect total body magnesium levels accurately, so symptoms and risk factors are also important considerations in diagnosis.
  8. How do I test for magnesium deficiency? While blood tests provide some insight into magnesium levels, a magnesium loading test involving intravenous administration of magnesium and measurement of urinary output is more accurate for assessing total magnesium status.
  9. Who’s at risk for magnesium deficiency? People at higher risk for magnesium deficiency include those with diets high in processed foods and low in magnesium-rich whole foods like seeds, nuts, and green leafy vegetables. Additionally, individuals who consume alcohol regularly or have gastrointestinal conditions such as celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are at increased risk.
  10. How is magnesium deficiency treated? Treatment for magnesium deficiency typically involves magnesium supplementation, dietary changes to include more magnesium-rich foods, and addressing any underlying medical conditions that may impair magnesium absorption or increase magnesium loss.

Sources

https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Magnesium-HealthProfessional

https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Calcium-HealthProfessional

https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/high-blood-pressure/changes-you-can-make-to-manage-high-blood-pressure/types-of-blood-pressure-medications

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hypercalcemia/symptoms-causes/syc-20355523

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/vitamin-d3

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/286839

https://www.webmd.com/healthy-aging/omega-3-fatty-acids-fact-sheet

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/vitamin-k2

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/295914

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214750017300707
Scroll to Top