Magnesium deficiency is popularly known in health forums as the ‘invisible deficiency.’ This is because it can manifest without you ever even noticing it. This is probably one of the main reasons that it is still the leading nutrient deficiency in adults. Almost 80% of adults reportedly have some form of magnesium deficiency.
Magnesium plays a vital role in how our bodies function and stay healthy. The human body contains about 25 grams of magnesium. 50 to 60 percent are in the skeletal system, while the rest are found in muscles, soft tissues, and bodily fluids.
There are tons of ways to check whether you are already deficient in magnesium. However, because of the number of possible symptoms, it can prove to be more difficult to notice the signs. It’s not called the ‘invisible deficiency’ for nothing. Luckily, there are simple and common symptoms that can make it easier for you to tell.
1. Fatigue and Muscle Weakness
When you begin to feel the onslaught of fatigue, it usually means that you need rest. It’s perfectly normal to feel tired after a long day. However, fatigue that persists over a long period of time could already be a sign of a health problem.
Fatigue is a medical condition characterized by physical or mental exhaustion. This could also manifest through muscle weakness, making your body feel heavy and lethargic. Fatigue is a non-specific symptom, meaning that it does not exclusively attribute to or explain a single condition.
However, magnesium deficiency is specifically characterized by muscle weakness, which is usually accompanied by fatigue. This is more formally known as myasthenia. Doctors believe that this muscle weakness is due to the loss of important nutrients, such as potassium, in the muscle cells. This leads to magnesium deficiency, causing strain on the body. Which ultimately leads to the appearance of persistent fatigue.
