Magnesium is one of the essential minerals for the body, participating in hundreds of biological reactions related to nerve and muscle function and energy production.
Although the body only needs magnesium in small amounts, a prolonged deficiency can still affect many vital organs and functions. However, this condition often develops silently with rather vague symptoms, making it easy to overlook or mistake for ordinary fatigue.
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Salmon is one of the top foods rich in magnesium. Photo: Freepik . |
Signs of magnesium deficiency in the body.
According to Every Well Health , one of the most common symptoms of magnesium deficiency is persistent fatigue and a lack of energy even without strenuous activity. Magnesium plays a crucial role in cellular energy metabolism, so when magnesium levels decrease, the body easily becomes lethargic, experiences reduced stamina, and has difficulty concentrating on work or daily activities.
In addition, many people with magnesium deficiency often experience muscle spasms, cramps, or numbness in their hands and feet, especially at night. This occurs because magnesium plays a role in regulating muscle contraction and relaxation and nerve transmission. When deficient, muscles become more sensitive, causing abnormal spasms or prolonged pain.
In some cases, according to Health , magnesium deficiency can also cause a feeling of rapid heartbeat, anxiety, or palpitations. This condition usually occurs when the deficiency is prolonged, affecting the electrical conduction of the heart.
Additionally, people with magnesium deficiency sometimes experience symptoms such as headaches, migraines, loss of appetite, or nausea. However, these are all nonspecific signs, so many people often overlook them or only discover the condition when it has persisted for a long time.
Signs of magnesium deficiency in children
In young children, magnesium deficiency is often harder to recognize than in adults, according to Medical News Today . Some children may become fussy, irritable, have restless sleep, or startle easily at night. These symptoms sometimes develop subtly over a long period, making them easy for parents to overlook.
Magnesium plays a crucial role in the functioning of the nervous system and muscles, so a deficiency can cause mild muscle spasms, tremors, or cramps in children, especially after strenuous activity.
In addition, magnesium deficiency can affect children's concentration and energy levels. Children may be less focused on studying, easily tired, less interested in physical activity, or experience mood swings. In older children, prolonged sleep deprivation due to magnesium deficiency can sometimes affect memory and academic performance.
Some cases of prolonged magnesium deficiency may be accompanied by loss of appetite, nausea, or mild digestive disorders. This causes children to eat less, thereby worsening the mineral deficiency over time.
According to experts, the risk of magnesium deficiency in children is often higher in those who are picky eaters, have unbalanced diets low in vegetables and whole grains, or suffer from prolonged digestive problems such as diarrhea or malabsorption. In addition, children who engage in high-intensity physical activity, sweat profusely, or experience frequent stress and lack of sleep may also lose more magnesium than normal.
Things to note when supplementing with magnesium
According to WebMD , not all cases of fatigue, insomnia, or muscle cramps are related to magnesium deficiency. The long-term, unproven use of magnesium supplements for children can disrupt mineral balance and even negatively impact health if used excessively.
Instead of relying on supplements, parents should prioritize providing magnesium through their children's daily diet. Many natural foods contain high levels of magnesium, such as dark leafy greens, nuts, beans, whole grains, bananas, and avocados. Seafood, salmon, and mackerel are also rich sources of magnesium that parents can include in their children's daily diets.
Besides diet, certain lifestyle habits can also affect magnesium levels in the body. Staying up late, insufficient sleep, prolonged stress, irregular eating habits, or frequent consumption of processed foods can all make the body more prone to magnesium deficiency over time.
If children frequently show signs of suspected magnesium deficiency or have underlying cardiovascular, digestive, or metabolic conditions, parents should take them to a doctor for assessment and appropriate supplementation guidance instead of self-medicating with drugs or supplements for extended periods.
Source: https://znews.vn/dau-hieu-canh-bao-co-the-thieu-magie-post1652623.html
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