Magnesium is of great importance for health, participating in hundreds of vital processes in the body related to muscles, nerves, bones, and the heart. According to The Times of India, the body shows warning signs when a person has a magnesium deficiency. Muscle cramps are the first warning sign, especially in the leg muscles and eyelids; without enough magnesium, muscles contract and have difficulty relaxing. Feeling fatigued even after resting is the second sign, as magnesium is necessary to convert food into energy, but its deficiency causes cells to not produce enough energy. A magnesium deficiency leads to difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, and in some cases, to vivid dreams or insomnia, as it affects melatonin and gamma-aminobutyric acid, two chemicals in the brain that help calm the nervous system. Magnesium helps stabilize the nervous system, and when its levels are low, the brain's response to stress becomes overly active, leading to feelings of anxiety, low mood, or irritability. A magnesium deficiency can potentially lead to a rapid heartbeat, as it helps control its electrical signals—a sign that should not be ignored. Bones lose their density, and nails become weak and peel easily over time if magnesium is low, as it supports calcium absorption. A magnesium deficiency is linked to tension headaches and migraines. It affects neurotransmitters and vasoconstriction in the brain, causing severe and recurrent pain. A magnesium deficiency leads to tingling or numbness in the hands and feet, as nerve function heavily depends on it. There is an increased craving for sugar, and blood sugar levels rise sharply when magnesium levels are low, as its deficiency impairs insulin function. It is recommended to consume magnesium-rich foods such as pumpkin seeds, spinach and leafy greens, almonds and cashews, avocado, and dark chocolate to treat a deficiency, and to consult a doctor and undergo necessary tests.
