Magnesium is an essential mineral and electrolyte that plays a role in many physiological processes such as energy production, maintaining bone and tooth structure, regulating nerve function, and DNA replication. Therefore, it is important that you get adequate amounts of magnesium in your diet. However, deficiency of this mineral can lead to various complications – which can even be fatal.

Doctors say that in many cases, the deficiency may not be diagnosed because obvious signs usually do not appear until your levels become severely low. You might normally think that fatigue and tiredness would mean deficiency, but it is your heart that is most affected.

According to US-based Dr Eric Berg, some of the ways your heart is affected include:

arrhythmia or irregular heartbeat

“The most dangerous symptom of magnesium deficiency is not muscle cramps, insomnia or fatigue. This is what magnesium deficiency can do to your heart,” he said on his social media channel Instagram. Dr. Berg says a deficiency in this nutrient can cause arrhythmias, or irregular heartbeats — which range from causing no symptoms to causing very serious symptoms. In some people, this can cause heart palpitations, which is a pause between heartbeats.

Magnesium plays an important role in your heart function by controlling blood vessel contraction, which helps manage blood pressure. Magnesium is also in charge of the contraction of the heart muscle, which keeps the heart beating properly.

Calcium blocks arteries

A normal heartbeat is maintained by several electrolytes such as sodium, potassium and calcium. Nevertheless, magnesium is the nutrient responsible for regulating the movement of these electrolytes within the heart tissue.

And so, when your body is deficient in magnesium, it starts producing too much calcium which can block the arteries.

increases blood pressure

Additionally, “without magnesium your blood pressure increases because magnesium causes the arteries to relax,” Dr. Berg said. Studies show that low magnesium levels lead to inflammation which promotes high blood pressure.

forms blood clots

Without magnesium, the risk of clots increases because there will be an excess of calcium, which causes more clots.

Other symptoms of low magnesium in your body

Some other symptoms of magnesium deficiency, which are usually subtle until your levels become severely low, include:

• tiredness and extreme fatigue
• muscle cramps
• mental health conditions
• osteoporosis

How to get enough magnesium for your body?

According to experts, even if people do not reach the daily requirement of magnesium, there are still plenty of magnesium-rich foods to choose from. The mineral is widely found in both plant- and animal-based foods, including:

• seeds and nuts
• Whole grains
• beans
• leafy green vegetables

If you have a health condition that causes your body to lack magnesium, such as diabetes, it’s important to eat plenty of magnesium-rich foods or take supplements. Talk to your doctor about increasing your magnesium intake to create a plan that works well for your needs.

However, according to Dr. Berg, if you’re taking supplements, “take magnesium glycinate with vitamin D,” which is great for your heart and bone health.

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