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Top 10 Signs & Symptoms of Magnesium Deficiency

Katie WellsSep 11, 2018Updated: Jul 30, 2019
Dr Terry Wahls
Medically reviewed by Dr. Terry Wahls, MD
Reading Time: 7 min

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Wellness Mama » Blog » Health » Top 10 Signs & Symptoms of Magnesium Deficiency
Table of Contents[Hide][Show]
  • Why Is Magnesium Such a Big Deal?
  • Why Is Magnesium Deficiency So Widespread?
  • You Might Be Magnesium Deficient If...+−
    • Calcium = Fuel on the Fire
  • Magnesium Deficiency Symptoms+−
    • 1. Calcification of the Arteries
    • 2. Muscle Spasms and Cramps
    • 3. Anxiety & Depression
    • 4. High Blood Pressure/Hypertension
    • 5. Hormone Problems
    • 6. Pregnancy Complaints
    • 7. Sleep Problems
    • 8. Low Energy
    • 9. Bone Health
    • 10. Other Mineral Deficiencies
  • Magnesium Deficiency: The Solution+−
    • Oral Magnesium Supplement
    • Dietary Sources of Magnesium
    • Topical Magnesium Oil
  • What I Do

Magnesium deficiency is a widespread problem and some estimates suggest that over 90% of us are deficient. I’ve been writing about magnesium for years, but am even more concerned about this problem lately.

Why Is Magnesium Such a Big Deal?

Magnesium is responsible for over 300 biochemical reactions in the body and impacts blood pressure, metabolism, immune function, and many other aspects of health.

Some experts claim that magnesium deficiency is the single largest health problem in our world today.

Why Is Magnesium Deficiency So Widespread?

There are many reasons that deficiency is so widespread in modern times (even though it wasn’t in the past).

Depleted soil conditions mean that plants (and meat from animals that feed on these plants) are lower in magnesium. Use of chemicals like fluoride and chlorine in the water supply make magnesium less available in water since these chemicals can bind to magnesium.

Common substances that many of us consume daily, like caffeine and sugar, also deplete the body’s magnesium levels…

So does stress.

In other words, the lucky (but small) percentage of the population that lives near the ocean (a good source of magnesium) and eats foods grown in magnesium-rich soil, drinks magnesium-rich water, and doesn’t suffer from stress or consume sugar or caffeine might be ok… but the rest of us might need some additional magnesium.

You Might Be Magnesium Deficient If…

Risk factors for low magnesium vary, but here are some clues that you might need more magnesium:

  1. You’re a sugar addict. (Quick, read this!…)
  2. You take calcium supplements.
  3. You drink soda and other sugary drinks.
  4. You suspect or have been diagnosed with celiac disease or other digestive disorders like Crohn’s disease.
  5. You consume a lot of processed foods and conventional dairy.
  6. You have a water softener or city water.
  7. You have Type 2 diabetes.
  8. You avoid green vegetables, leafy greens, and other magnesium-containing foods.
  9. You are an older adult, and/or take certain prescription medications.
  10. You eat food grown in depleted soils. (Uh, pretty much everyone!)

If you fall in any of these categories, read on!

Calcium = Fuel on the Fire

From my research, I’m convinced that excess calcium is a large part of this magnesium deficiency epidemic and that it contributes to so many health issues.

Here’s why…

While we don’t get enough magnesium, many of us get too much calcium. Calcium is added to many processed foods, dairy or dairy alternatives, and even orange juice.

When calcium levels in the body become too high, calcification can occur. Common sense, but there’s one big reason why this happens…

  • Each cell in the body has a sodium/potassium pump that regulates the balance of minerals inside and outside the cells.
  • Magnesium deficiency keeps this pump from working correctly. With too much calcium, the ratios are skewed, and the pump allows too much calcium into the cells. When there is too little magnesium, even more calcium is allowed into the cells.

Many nutrients come into play in the calcification equation, like vitamins K and D,  but the biggest factor for over-calcification is lack of magnesium.

Magnesium Deficiency Symptoms

Due to the importance of the proper calcium/magnesium ratio in the body and the function of the sodium/potassium pump, magnesium deficiency can lead to:

1. Calcification of the Arteries

Though this is not (hopefully) the first symptom of magnesium deficiency, it can be one of the most dangerous.

Calcification of arteries from low magnesium levels can lead to coronary problems like heart attack, heart failure, and heart disease. Magnesium’s ability to prevent over-calcification is one reason why the Framingham Health Study found that consuming enough magnesium correlated with a lower risk of coronary heart disease.

In fact, half of all heart attack patients receive injections of magnesium chloride to help stop the blood clotting and calcification.

2. Muscle Spasms and Cramps

This was my most noticeable symptoms of magnesium deficiency. Just as calcification causes stiffening of the arteries, it can cause stiffening of muscle tissue as well, leading to cramps and spasms.

I had horrible leg cramps during one of my pregnancies. Potassium didn’t help at all, but magnesium fixed the problem almost instantly (which makes sense in light of the sodium/potassium pump).

Interestingly, muscle weakness caused by low potassium levels is linked to low magnesium (as explained in this American Family Physicians report) and adequate levels of one helps the other.

3. Anxiety & Depression

There is a lot of research showing that magnesium deficiency can have a tremendous impact on mental health. Psychology Today explains one possible reason:

Magnesium hangs out in the synapse between two neurons along with calcium and glutamate. If you recall, calcium and glutamate are excitatory, and in excess, toxic (link is external). They activate the NMDA receptor. Magnesium can sit on the NMDA receptor without activating it, like a guard at the gate. Therefore, if we are deficient in magnesium, there’s no guard. Calcium and glutamate can activate the receptor like there is no tomorrow. In the long term, this damages the neurons, eventually leading to cell death. In the brain, that is not an easy situation to reverse or remedy.

For me, more magnesium means fewer “mommy is stressed” moments with my kids…

4. High Blood Pressure/Hypertension

This is perhaps one of the most well-studied areas of magnesium deficiency. A Harvard study of over 70,000 people found that those with the highest magnesium intake had the healthiest blood pressure numbers.

A follow-up meta-analysis of available studies showed a dose-dependent reduction of blood pressure with magnesium supplementation.

A University of Minnesota study showed that the risk for hypertension was 70% lower in women with adequate/high magnesium levels.

5. Hormone Problems

I personally saw the effects of low magnesium in my hormone levels. The higher the estrogen or progesterone levels in a woman’s body, the lower the magnesium (pregnancy anyone?)

This is also part of the reason why pregnant women experience more leg cramps and women notice more of these muscular type complaints and PMS in the second half of their cycles when progesterone/estrogen are tanking and magnesium is depleted.

Muscle cramps related to the menstrual cycle can also be related to magnesium levels. Dr. Carolyn Dean, author of the book The Magnesium Miracle, often recommends that women with bad PMS and cramps take magnesium early in their cycles before the symptoms begin.

6. Pregnancy Complaints

Related to the hormone problems above, magnesium levels can drastically affect pregnancy health and mood. I noticed this I had tremendously less morning sickness during pregnancy when I supplemented with transdermal magnesium.

Magnesium is also often used to help with pregnancy-related hypertension and muscle cramps, to help ward off preterm labor and to alleviate headaches.

I personally always stuck to transdermal magnesium during pregnancy since it didn’t cause digestive disturbances, at least until I found the brand of oral supplement I now take (see below for both).

7. Sleep Problems

With all of the above symptoms of deficiency, it makes sense that magnesium would have a drastic impact on sleep, but the impact is often immediately noticeable when a person starts taking magnesium.

Dr. Mark Hyman calls it the ultimate relaxation mineral. Magnesium helps relax the body and the mind, which both contribute to restful sleep.

Additionally, magnesium is needed for proper function of the GABA receptors in the brain, and GABA is the neurotransmitter that allows the brain to transition to a restful state.

8. Low Energy

Magnesium is required in the reactions that create ATP energy in the cells.

Let’s flashback to freshman biology for a minute. ATP or adenosine triphosphate is the main source of energy in the cells and it must bind to a magnesium ion in order to be active.

In other words, without magnesium, you literally won’t have energy on a cellular level. This shows up as fatigue, low energy, lack of drive, and other problems.

9. Bone Health

Calcium is always considered the most important mineral for bone health, but it turns out that magnesium is just as important (or even more so!)

In cases of magnesium deficiency, the bones suffer in multiple ways:

  • Vitamin D Absorption: Magnesium is needed for vitamin D to turn on calcium absorption. This is why it is also important to get enough magnesium when taking vitamin D (or magnesium levels can become even more depleted.)
  • Proper Calcium Use: Magnesium is needed to stimulate the hormone calcitonin which draws calcium out of the muscles and soft tissues and into the bones. This helps explain why magnesium helps lower the risk of heart attack, osteoporosis, arthritis, and kidney stones.

10. Other Mineral Deficiencies

Many vitamins and minerals work synergistically and magnesium is a workhorse on this list. It is needed for proper utilization of calcium, potassium, vitamin K, vitamin D, and many other nutrients.

By using magnesium externally, or transdermally (meaning “across the skin”) the body can absorb what is needed without absorbing to much. It is similar to soaking in an Epsom salt bath or in the ocean.

Magnesium Deficiency: The Solution

Though the symptoms seem ominous, magnesium deficiency is actually a relatively simple deficiency for the body to resolve with the right form of magnesium.

Many of the magnesium supplements on the market are pills or solutions taken internally. These can be effective, but can also cause digestive disturbances or stress the kidneys.

Also, experts estimate that magnesium absorption in the digestive system ranges from 20-55%, depending on the source, meaning that half or more of the magnesium leaves the body as waste.

Current research shows that a combination of oral magnesium (if the right form) and topical magnesium is best for boosting low levels.

Oral Magnesium Supplement

This magnesium supplement is one of my favorites and as it is clinically proven to have a high rate of absorption (85%) and a slow-release delivery. It’s formulated to minimize digestive upset and also contains B vitamins.

Dietary Sources of Magnesium

Other real-food dietary sources of magnesium include:

  • dark chocolate (this is one reason we women often crave it)
  • nuts and seeds, especially pumpkin seeds and almonds (soak first if possible)
  • avocados
  • bananas (hmm, I’ll pass)
  • leafy greens such as spinach and chard
  • see below for more ideas!

Topical Magnesium Oil

My other secret weapon is topical magnesium. (I share what it did for me in this podcast episode.)

A solution of magnesium can be sprayed on the skin and the body can absorb what is needed at a much faster rate. The magnesium moves directly into the blood and tissues, replenishing the body’s needed magnesium stores more quickly and bypassing the kidneys.

I’ve shared my recipe for homemade magnesium oil (topical magnesium) and you can also try this Magnesium Lotion.

What I Do

I now use this transdermal magnesium each day and use it on my children. Dr. Mark Hyman of the Cleveland Clinic recommends up to 1,000 mg/day for adults and 4-500 mg/day for kids. We get this amount using the magnesium spray all over our bodies each night before bed.

In addition, I take some type of oral magnesium (Jigsaw Health is also a great option here) and try to consume magnesium-rich foods from organic sources with good soil quality.

For additional information, I shared this short podcast episode on magnesium with additional information.

Do you have any of these signs of low magnesium? Do you think these tips will help?

Top Ten Magnesium Rich Foods

This article was medically reviewed by Dr. Terry Wahls, a clinical professor of medicine and clinical research and has published over 60 peer-reviewed scientific abstracts, posters, and papers. As always, this is not personal medical advice and we recommend that you talk with your doctor.

Do you ever struggle with any of these symptoms? Ever tried magnesium to help it out?

10 Signs Of Magnesium deficiency
Sources
  1. Aarhus University. (2013, October 4). Research reveals the mechanism of the sodium-potassium pump. ScienceDaily.
  2. Shea MK, Holden RM. Vitamin K status and vascular calcification: evidence from observational and clinical studies. Adv Nutr. 2012;3(2):158-65.
  3. Hruby A et al., Magnesium intake is inversely associated with coronary artery calcification: the Framingham Heart Study. JACC Cardiovasc Imaging. 2014;7(1):59-69.
  4. Sun Ha Jee, et al., The effect of magnesium supplementation on blood pressure: a meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. American Journal of Hypertension 2012;15(8):691–696.
  5. Zofková I, Kancheva RL. The relationship between magnesium and calciotropic hormones. Magnes Res. 1995;8(1):77-84.
  6. Rude RK, Olerich M. Magnesium deficiency: possible role in osteoporosis associated with gluten-sensitive enteropathy. Osteoporos Int. 1996;6(6):453-61.
Category: HealthReviewer: Dr. Terry Wahls, MD

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About Katie Wells

Katie Wells, CTNC, MCHC, Founder of Wellness Mama and Wellnesse, has a background in research, journalism, and nutrition. As a wife and mom of six, she turned to research and took health into her own hands to find answers to her health problems. WellnessMama.com is the culmination of her thousands of hours of research and all posts are medically reviewed and verified by the Wellness Mama research team. Katie is also the author of the bestselling books The Wellness Mama Cookbook and The Wellness Mama 5-Step Lifestyle Detox.

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Reader Interactions

Discussion (144 Comments)

  1. Ester Perez

    May 26, 2015 at 1:36 AM

    I just ordered the magnesium oil. My son has had some issues with post nasal drip. He have done major diet intervention with minor results. Essential oils have helped some but not 100%. I am hoping that the magnesium oil will help him. We have done so much for him this last month. Doing lots of fermented foods too.

    Reply
  2. Delphine

    May 24, 2015 at 11:10 PM

    Was going to try it but their “free” bottle is 7.95. I don’t like being lied to :(. (No way shipping is hat much for 2 oz!)

    Reply
    • Lee

      June 23, 2015 at 11:11 AM

      Well, they told me that I couldn’t get a free bottle because the offer expired, even though I ordered the same day I got the email from Katie.

      Reply
  3. Tamela Camp

    May 24, 2015 at 9:44 PM

    I have chronic kidney stones. I have had 10-12 surgeries with over 60 kidney stones in the past 10 years. My stones can grow very fast and very large. I have been told that i am deficient in magnesium and citrate and therefore they stones do not get broken down. Do you know of being magnesium deficient contributing to the production of kidney stones? I love reading your articles, so informative. Thanks

    Reply
    • Katie - Wellness Mama

      May 31, 2015 at 6:52 PM

      I’m not a doc, but I could definitely see that connection being possible. I would definitely check with a doc before taking Magnesium though since you have a kidney condition, but topical magnesium should be much gentler than internal (which is usually not recommended for those with kidney stones)

      Reply
  4. Laurette

    May 24, 2015 at 3:02 PM

    I am sooo glad to see you ‘ harping’ on this subject. EVERY cell needs magnesium to function properly…not some. It’s considered the bodies foundational mineral. Remove the foundation and the body starts to crumble and will show its face in many different ways. I ve been harping on this subject for a long time only to be laughed at. I started keeping my magnesium levels up years ago. I accredit my breezing through menopause ( no hot flashes, ect) to magnesium. I started to sleep better, my restless legs and arthritis went away. I currently take magnesium chloride. I can’t live without it.

    Reply
    • Glynis Halliday

      July 5, 2015 at 6:30 AM

      I started taking Magnesium in tablet form, (just ones you can buy at the supermarket) about a year or so ago, in the hope that it could help with my asthma and also with leg cramps, which I didn’t have often, but which were not nice when they did happen!

      I have recently doubled the dose of the magnesium after reading some things about how stress can actually lower the magnesium levels in the body. So, I decided that seeing I’d been very stressed in recent months, I would try more of the mineral, thinking that maybe it could help more with my asthma and so forth.

      I’m not totally sure that it has helped with my asthma, but one pretty astounding possibility is, that taking a double dose of magnesium, has resulted in a reduction of migraines!

      It is early days yet, but I am very excited to think that I may’ve at long last, after suffering from migraines for over 50 yrs, found something that reduces the number of them!!

      I have not had a migraine for close on 3 weeks and that is totally unheard of for me!!

      Don’t take this as a cure all for migraine, but please, if you do suffer from these and have started taking magnesium for leg cramps or whatever and you realise that your migraines could be reducing, then please post something here, so I can read it!

      I will say that it’s been almost a month, since I started doubling the magnesium dose I was taking, so I am wondering how long this migraine free period will last! And indeed, whether taking the double dose of the magnesium is actually contributing to this outcome!

      Word of warning, from my pharmacist, when I asked him if you could overdose on magnesium, he said that maintaining a balance of calcium and magnesium is vital and that if you go too much one way or the other, you can cause other problems, like heart issues. So, if you are considering doubling your magnesium, then just run it past your pharmacist and or your doctor just to see what they say.

      My usual course of action when having been told about something like magnesium and how stress can play a part in lowering it, is to do as much research as possible on the topic, learning everything that there is to know about magnesium, calcium etc and how these two mineral play a vital part in keeping your body at an equilibrium!

      So, read, read, read & ask questions, then read some more, etc etc!

      Reply
    • Sasha

      August 24, 2015 at 2:30 PM

      Hi Laurette,

      Thanks for that information. I am also going through peri menopause and having lots of difficulties with anxiety, mood swings, body aches and energy levels. However, not too much of an issue with hot flashes,; they are manageable. However, anxiety is the worst.

      So, how did magnesium really help you and how and what kind did you take? I am experimenting with some supplements to combat my symptoms.

      Any tips, advice would greatly help.

      Thanks so much and God bless.

      Reply
      • Linda Howard

        December 12, 2018 at 1:56 AM

        I reversed ALL of my symptoms of menopause with magnesium rich Green Smoothies. I drink one almost EVERY day! I AM 54.

        Reply
  5. Helen

    May 23, 2015 at 11:39 PM

    I suffer from restless feet (tingly feeling first then sometimes feels like I am going to get cramps in them ) get real painful cramping too. Keeps me awake for hours sometimes. Would sort of Magnesium would be best for me to use ?

    Reply
  6. Freda

    May 23, 2015 at 4:58 PM

    Where do you biy the magnesium flakes? I have a lot of sleeping issues and restless legs plus fibo. Can these issues be helped with magnesium?

    Reply
    • Katie - Wellness Mama

      May 23, 2015 at 10:04 PM

      Yes, you can use epsom salt baths, though you need to use a pretty high concentration. You can also find magnesium chloride flakes (easier to absorb) on Amazon and at other stores. I personally use this one now: https://wellnessmama.com/go/ease/ since it is the most absorbable one I’ve found and the easiest to use.

      Reply
  7. Kirstin

    May 23, 2015 at 10:00 AM

    Is there a way to make this transdermal spray at home?

    Reply
    • Wellness Mama

      May 23, 2015 at 11:37 AM

      https://wellnessmama.com/5804/magnesium-oil/ 🙂

      Reply
  8. Laura Powell

    May 23, 2015 at 9:43 AM

    I just ordered me the free sample and 60 day supply. Is it here yet?? If it does for me what they say it will I will be dancing in the streets!

    Thanks for the info!

    Reply
  9. Sara

    May 22, 2015 at 9:23 PM

    The link to the magnesium you use takes you to an abstract.

    Reply
    • Wellness Mama

      May 22, 2015 at 11:51 PM

      It should go here: https://wellnessmama.com/go/ease/

      Reply
      • Cindy

        May 23, 2015 at 2:03 AM

        I recently bought and used Dr. Barbra Henley’s Magnesium oil. Used it before bedtime and the next day I felt very toxic. Didn’t use it for a couple days in which the toxic feeling went away. Tried it again before bed and the next day again I felt very toxic. I had also given my elderly friend some to use and she said she felt nauseated the next day.
        I am very disappointed because I really need the magnesium and I know transdermal is the best, and really wanted to work for me.
        I do want to mention that her and I are on medications, but so are MANY people and I don’t see how this could be the problem, but I don’t know what else could be wrong. I know other people taking it and not having this type of issue.
        I would highly appreciate it if you could help, and any advice would be great.
        Thanks,
        Cindy

        Reply
  10. Niki

    May 22, 2015 at 8:14 PM

    I must have missed this info…how much magnesium do we need per day? I am a PCOS/endometriosis/adenomyosis/ fibroid girl. If there is a “female” issue to have, I have it. Maybe this could help?

    Reply
    • Katie - Wellness Mama

      May 23, 2015 at 10:12 PM

      Dr. Mark Hymen of the Cleveland Clinic has recommended 1,000 mg/day for adults.

      Reply
      • Selina

        January 8, 2016 at 11:37 PM

        Is it 1000mg of topical or 1000mg of oral magnesium & which is the best form of oral magnesium?!

        Reply
        • Wellness Mama

          January 9, 2016 at 10:58 AM

          I find that I do much better with topical magnesium and many other commenters seem to have this experience as well.

          Reply
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