Magnesium deficiency is particularly common from September onwards.
Magnesium is an essential mineral involved in many metabolic reactions in the body, particularly in muscle contraction and bone maintenance. When magnesium is deficient, general health is affected. “I am particularly attentive to people who consume few fruits, vegetables and starchy foodsexplains Dr. Laurence Plumey, nutritionist. People who eat meat or who are used to drinking tap water, which is therefore low in minerals, are also likely to be deficient in magnesium.” The same goes for stressed people. When the body is stressed, it fixes magnesium less well, which is then further evacuated through urine. Stress is also a consequence of the lack of magnesium, so it is a real vicious circle that sets in and maintains this deficiency.
Women are more affected than men by magnesium deficiency, mainly because they diet more, according to Laurence Plumey. “From the moment we eliminate foods, mathematically, we lose vitamins and minerals. In addition, it is above all the reduction in the dietary intake of starchy foods that can particularly reduce magnesium intake.”describes the doctor. As a reminder, a woman needs about 300 mg of magnesium per day and a man 380 mg/day.
It is important to monitor for symptoms of magnesium deficiency because doctors do not have a test that can confirm this deficiency with certainty. “Clinically, doctors can do the hammer test, which consists of checking that the cheekbone muscles are contracting correctly. But biologically, we are not helped: blood magnesium levels are often normal because the body mobilizes its reserves to maintain a normal level.” explains Laurence Plumey. So what should alert us?
“As in any deficiency, It is first of all fatigue which can reveal a magnesium deficiencyexplains Doctor Laurence Plumey. But it is above all the sensation of muscular tension, which was formerly called “spasmophilia” which should alert us because it is characteristic of a lack of magnesium.” In fact, when this mineral is not present in sufficient quantity, the muscles have difficulty relaxing. We then feel a strong muscular tension, “sometimes close to tetany”. In addition to feelings of fatigue and muscle tension, one may feel “small fibrillations in the corner of the eye, called fasciculations, which are also a sign that the muscles are struggling to relax”the nutritionist further describes. Eyelid twitching is due to an involuntary spasm of the muscles located in the eyelid or under the eye. Other symptoms may be added to this, such as “cramps, including nighttime cramps.”
To avoid magnesium deficiency, you should make sure to eat enough fruits, vegetables, starchy foods and drink mineralized water. “A person who doesn’t eat breakfast can take an apple, a fruit juice and some almonds to eat at the office in the morning.” advises the nutritionist. Finally “If, despite all this, fatigue persists, taking food supplements may be necessary for the time it takes for the tone to return.”.