Numerous conditions are related to magnesium deficiency. According to the National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements, magnesium is the fourth most abundant mineral in your body and is critical for your optimal health and well-being. Approximately 50 percent of the magnesium in your body is found in your bones. Without sufficient magnesium, you may experience abnormal muscle and nerve function, an unsteady heart rhythm, a depressed immune system, weak bones, abnormal blood pressure and swings in your blood sugar level.
Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety is a condition that may be related to magnesium deficiency. According to a 2004 study by Nicolas Singewald and colleagues published in the journal "Neuropharmacology," magnesium deficiency leads to enhanced depression- and anxiety-related behavior in mice. The National Institute of Mental Health, or NIMH, states that anxiety disorders affect about 40 million Americans over the age of 18 every year. Anxiety disorders last at least six months and can progress if they are not treated appropriately. Common coexisting illnesses associated with anxiety disorders include alcoholism and substance abuse, although not everybody with an anxiety disorder is an alcoholic or substance abuser. The most common types of anxiety disorders include panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder. If you have a magnesium deficiency, restoring your magnesium balance may reduce your feelings of anxiety.
Asthma
Asthma is a condition that may be associated with magnesium deficiency. The Schachter Center for Complementary Medicine states that oral magnesium supplementation may be helpful for numerous medical conditions, including high blood pressure, coronary artery disease and asthma. A 2010 study by A. G. Kazaks and colleagues published in the "Journal of Asthma" states that adults who received oral magnesium supplements showed significant improvements in asthma control and quality of life. According to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, or NHLBI, asthma is a chronic or long-term lung disorder that is characterized by inflammation and narrowing of your airways. Common signs and symptoms associated with asthma include recurring periods of wheezing, chest tightness, shortness of breath and coughing. Approximately 22 million Americans are known to have asthma, states the NHLBI.
Diabetes
Diabetes is a condition that is associated with magnesium deficiency. According to the National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements, if you are a type 2 diabetic with poorly controlled diabetes, you may benefit from magnesium supplements because increased magnesium loss in urine is associated with hyperglycemia, or too much glucose in the blood. The American Diabetes Association, or ADA, states that type 2 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes, affecting millions of Americans. Common signs and symptoms associated with diabetes include increased thirst, frequent urination, severe hunger, unexplained weight loss, fatigue, blurred vision, slow wound healing and frequent gum, skin, vaginal or bladder infections. The ADA states that type 2 diabetes is more common in African Americans, Latinos, Native Americans and the elderly.
References
- National Institutes of Health: Magnesium
- "Neuropharmacology"; Magnesium-Deficient Diet; Nicolas Singewald et al.; December 2004
- National Institute of Mental Health: Introduction
- Schachter Center for Complementary Medicine: The Importance of Magnesium to Human Nutrition
- "Journal of Asthma"; Effect of Oral Magnesium Supplementation; A. G. Kazaks et al.; February 2010
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