Chronic
Since magnesium plays a role in neuromuscular transmission and muscle contraction, it has been hypothesised that magnesium deficiency may predispose to muscle cramps. Thus magnesium supplements are often recommended to prevent cramps.
Very low magnesium levels may cause:
Nighttime leg cramps. Numbness or tingling in the legs or hands. General body weakness.
One of the implications of low levels of magnesium is muscle fatigue, muscle pain, spasms and cramps, and tension headaches.
Chronic magnesium deficiency is often associated with normal serum magnesium despite deficiency in cells and in bone; the response to oral supplementation is slow and may take up to 40 weeks to reach a steady state.
Refining or processing of food may deplete magnesium content by nearly 85%. Furthermore, cooking, especially boiling of magnesium-rich foods, will result in significant loss of magnesium. The processing and cooking of food may therefore explain the apparently high prevalence of low magnesium intake in many populations.
It's simply because magnesium is responsible for muscle relaxation, and low levels of this mineral can prevent it from functioning correctly. The thing is, without much magnesium, your muscles may contract too much and cause symptoms such as cramps, muscle spasms/stiffness, pain and tightness.
When vitamin D levels are low and the body isn't able to properly absorb calcium and phosphorus, there is an increased risk of bone pain, bone fractures, muscle pain and muscle weakness. In older adults, severe vitamin D deficiency (levels less than 10 ng/mL) may also contribute to an increased risk of falls.
Vitamins B1, B12, and D may help relieve them, along with potassium and magnesium.
In most cases, magnesium starts working within a week, since it's a fast-acting nutrient. You need to take it consistently to reduce anxiety and help you relax.
Magnesium is essential for proper muscle function and acts to relieve tight, sore and cramped muscles. It controls muscle contraction and acts as a muscle relaxant.
Symptoms typically occur at magnesium levels below 1 mEq/L (0.5 mmol/L or 1.2 mg/dL).
You can test your magnesium levels by purchasing a simple at-home finger prick test kit which is then analysed at an accredited lab. Forth offers a number of blood tests which include magnesium such as our Nutri-check test and Menopause Health blood test.
In developed countries, older data estimated that the prevalence of marginal magnesium deficit is 15%–20% of the population. This corroborates more recent data indicating that around 10%–30% of a given population has subclinical magnesium deficiency based on serum magnesium levels <0.80 mmol/L.
Magnesium supplements should be taken with meals. Taking magnesium supplements on an empty stomach may cause diarrhea.