Low magnesium (hypomagnesemia) is caused by poor dietary intake, health conditions like diabetes, GI issues (Crohn's, celiac, alcoholism), kidney problems, and certain medications (diuretics, PPIs, some antibiotics), leading to decreased absorption or increased loss through urine or stool, with older adults and hospitalized patients at higher risk.
Causes
Yes, magnesium can cause headaches, but usually only when you have too much (hypermagnesemia) from high-dose supplements or impaired kidneys, while a deficiency in magnesium is a common cause of headaches and migraines, making magnesium supplementation a popular treatment for prevention. So, headaches can signal either too little or too much magnesium, depending on the context.
Early signs and symptoms of magnesium deficiency include loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and weakness. As magnesium deficiency worsens, numbness, tingling, muscle contractions and cramps, seizures, personality changes, abnormal heart rhythms, and coronary spasms can occur [1,2].
If metallic magnesium is inhaled (such as in the workplace) it can cause metal fume fever. This may result in cough, sore throat, chest tightness, headache, breathing problems, muscle pain and fever.
Foods high in magnesium are leafy greens, legumes, nuts, seeds and whole grains. A doctor can check your magnesium levels by a blood or urine (pee) test. If you have low magnesium levels, your doctor may recommend taking a supplement.
The research team took these facts into account from previous studies that suggest that low magnesium levels could contribute to chronic inflammation and joint degenerative disease. Low-grade systemic inflammation may play an important role in the development and progression of osteoarthritis.
For drinks high in magnesium, opt for mineral waters, fruit juices (especially orange, cherry, watermelon), plant-based milks (soy, almond), and homemade concoctions using raw cacao, coconut milk, or magnesium powders mixed with water or smoothies, with hot chocolate (made with raw cacao) and herbal teas (like nettle) also being good choices.
Your body needs magnesium to function normally. Symptoms of magnesium deficiency include low appetite, nausea or vomiting, muscle spasms or tremors and abnormal heart rhythms. A blood test or urine test can be used to diagnose magnesium deficiency. Magnesium deficiency is usually treated with supplements.
Small and large intestines, which absorb magnesium from the food you eat. Bones, which are the main storage system for magnesium. Kidneys, which are responsible for the excretion (release) of magnesium through your pee.
These muscle cramps often occur in the calves. However, tension in the shoulder and neck area and eyelid twitching can also be signs of a magnesium deficiency. Cardiac arrhythmia, migraine attacks or tension headaches can also be caused by a lack of magnesium.
Certain medications should not be taken with magnesium, including certain antibiotics, PPI drugs, diuretics, bisphosphonates, and high doses of zinc. If you take any of these medications and might need to supplement your diet with magnesium, speak to your healthcare provider.
The deficiency of many nutrients including magnesium, niacin, riboflavin, cobalamin, coenzymes Q10, carnitine, α-lipoic acid and vitamin D is associated with migraine.
Usually, the magnesium level becomes low because people consume less (most often, because of starvation) or because the intestine cannot absorb nutrients normally (called malabsorption). But sometimes hypomagnesemia develops because the kidneys or intestine excrete too much magnesium.
For women especially, magnesium is important because it plays a role in hundreds of different functions involved in hormone regulation. Thankfully, increasing dietary magnesium intake and taking a daily supplement can reverse symptoms and optimize blood sugar levels, mood, sleep and menstrual cycles.
Regular muscle and leg cramps as well as tension are usually due to an acute magnesium deficiency. Taken regularly, high doses of magnesium will treat the actual cause of the leg cramps, i.e. the magnesium deficiency, rather than just manage the symptoms in the short term.
Achieving 100% of the daily recommended magnesium intake can be accomplished by eating foods rich in magnesium, such as:
Some people have a problem absorbing magnesium into their body due to an issue with their kidneys or intestines. It is also commonly found in people who are in hospital, or on long-term medication for a different illness that can cause issues with absorbing magnesium.
People with low magnesium often experience restless sleep, waking frequently during the night. Maintaining healthy magnesium levels often leads to deeper, more sound sleep. Magnesium plays a role in supporting deep, restorative sleep by maintaining healthy levels of GABA, a neurotransmitter that promotes sleep.
Avocados: One whole avocado = 58 mg of magnesium. Bananas: One medium banana = 32 mg of magnesium. Papaya: One small papaya = 33 mg of magnesium. Blackberries: 1 cup = 29 mg of magnesium.
Drinking enough water isn't always enough. Your body needs the right minerals to absorb and retain hydration properly. Magnesium is a key electrolyte that ensures efficient water absorption at a cellular level.
Magnesium-Rich Foods
Muscle Spasms and Cramps
Twitches, spasms, tremors, and muscle cramps are one of the most obvious signs of magnesium deficiency. In some severe cases, magnesium deficiency can cause seizures or convulsions.
You May Need More Vitamin D
While many are quick to attribute joint pain to aging or overuse, there's an underlying factor that's often overlooked — vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D, often called the “sunshine vitamin,” plays a critical role in keeping our bones and joints healthy.
Joint pain can be caused by many types of injuries or conditions. It may be linked to arthritis, bursitis, and muscle pain. No matter what causes it, joint pain can be very bothersome.