Magnesium is often overlooked in medical assessments due to the difficulty of accurately determining magnesium levels through blood tests. A significant portion of the body's magnesium is stored in bones (60%), muscles (20%), and soft tissues (19%), with only a minor amount (1%) present in the blood.
This distribution complicates the detection of magnesium deficiency via blood tests, as bone and tissue stores can mask a deficiency until it becomes severe.
Good dietary sources of magnesium include green, leafy vegetables due to their chlorophyll content (a good indicator of magnesium content).
Bad dietary sources include foods like grains, which contain anti-nutrients that can hinder magnesium absorption. Also, cooking methods like boiling can leach magnesium from foods.
The most common signs of magnesium deficiency include anxiety and insomnia to muscle cramps and cardiovascular issues. Magnesium participates in the function of over 350 enzymes in the body, thus affecting a multitude of physiological processes. Along with Vitamin D, Magnesium tends to be a very common deficiency.
This symptom is attributed to the role of magnesium in nerve function and muscle contraction, where its deficiency leads to an imbalance in calcium influx and efflux in cells, causing the observed twitching.
Next: The Role of Magnesium Deficiency in Ageing and Disease
Explore Topic: Magnesium
Vitamin D and cholesterol are metabolically linked because cholesterol is a key precursor for the skin's synthesis of vitamin D3 when exposed to sunlight.
Cholesterol is a waxy substance found in all cells, essential for producing hormones, vitamin D, and bile acids that aid digestion. While high LDL (bad) cholesterol contributes to plaque buildup in arteries, cholesterol is necessary for many vital functions.
Magnesium may also be the key to unlocking deep, restorative sleep.
Insomnia, restlessness or night craps getting in the way of your sleep? These are signs of a magnesium deficiency.
Chronic stress, busy schedules, and excessive screen time before bed, millions of Australians struggle to get quality shut-eye. However, research continues to support the idea of a simple solution: getting enough of the essential mineral magnesium.
