What Are the Symptoms of Magnesium Deficiency?

Magnesium is a relatively common metal and an essential trace element for the body. A lack of magnesium in the body can have significant health consequences, potentially leading to changes in calcium levels, such as arterial calcification, which can cause cramps and muscle spasms. Magnesium deficiency can also affect psychological well-being, triggering anxiety or depression, among other symptoms. Let's delve into the manifestations of magnesium deficiency.

Low magnesium levels can lead to arterial calcification, which can contribute to coronary heart disease, including heart attacks, heart failure, and other cardiac conditions. The ability of magnesium to prevent excessive calcification is one reason why the Framingham Heart Study found a correlation between adequate magnesium intake and a reduced risk of coronary heart disease.

Similar to how calcification can lead to hardening of the arteries, it can also cause hardening of muscle tissue, resulting in cramps and spasms. Interestingly, muscle weakness caused by low potassium levels is associated with low magnesium, while adequate potassium levels can be beneficial for magnesium balance.

Magnesium plays a role in the synapses between neurons, along with calcium and glutamate. Calcium ions entering the cell can easily induce glutamate to activate NMDA receptors, leading to neurotoxicity. Magnesium can sit on the NMDA receptor without activating it, serving as a protective guard. Therefore, in the absence of magnesium, calcium and glutamate can activate the receptors indefinitely, ultimately damaging neurons and leading to cell death in the brain, a condition that is not easily reversible or remedied.

Hypertension is one of the most well-studied areas of magnesium deficiency. A study conducted by Harvard University involving over 70,000 individuals found that those with the highest magnesium intake had the lowest blood pressure.

This is also part of the reason why pregnant women often experience more leg cramps. Women may also notice more muscle discomfort and PMS symptoms during the latter half of their menstrual cycle when progesterone/estrogen levels are higher and magnesium is depleted.