If you suffer from poor concentration and memory, low energy and adrenal exhaustion, insomnia, depression, muscle and/or menstrual cramps or headaches and migraines, you may be low on magnesium.

Magnesium is one of the most common vitamin deficiencies today. We can find Magnesium in green leafy vegetables, whole grains, nuts and seeds. One of the most common reasons for this increased lack of magnesium is the way our food is grown and processed. Additionally, our high-stress lives, whether mental and/or physical, add to the problem, as our bodies use more magnesium during these stressful times.

Our body needs magnesium to function properly. We generally find it stored in our organs, bones, and a small amount in our bloodstream. It’s harder to detect a deficiency because of where it’s stored, and you may not even realize you’re missing the vitamin until you start to have the physical signs. Early signs to look out for may include things like loss of appetite, headache, nausea, fatigue, and weakness.

A lack of magnesium for a long period of time can cause serious health problems, such as irregular heartbeat, seizures, coronary spasms, and even personality changes. We need to correct the deficiency as soon as possible for these reasons.

Magnesium deficiency can be prevented by eating foods rich in magnesium, such as pumpkin seeds, cooked spinach, almonds, brown rice, and dark chocolate. However, sometimes this may not be enough, as magnesium may not be absorbed properly, so it may be necessary to take a magnesium supplement which will be better absorbed into the bloodstream. You can also boost your levels very quickly with an Epsom salt bath. The skin’s pores are its most absorbent organ, and bathing in magnesium sulfate raises its levels quite quickly.

However, magnesium is a mineral that we can overdose on, so we must be careful. An overdose can cause confusion, diarrhea, nausea, slow heart rate, vomiting, and very low blood pressure. So if you think you may have a deficiency, you should talk to your natural health practitioner to avoid taking too much.

So the next time you’re feeling a little under the weather, with headaches, cramps, and low energy, it might be a good idea to eat more magnesium-rich foods and see if it lifts your spirits. If so, visit your naturopath and make sure you are taking the correct dose.