NEW YORK, March 12: Magnesium is a vital mineral that often goes unnoticed but plays a significant role in maintaining overall health. From boosting energy production to supporting strong muscles and bones, magnesium is essential for the body’s proper functioning. However, many people unknowingly have low magnesium levels, and the symptoms can be surprisingly easy to miss.

If someone is experiencing unexplained fatigue, muscle cramps, or even mood swings, it might be an indication that the body needs more magnesium.

Here are nine subtle signs to look out for, and why magnesium is more important than many realize:

Leg cramps or muscle spasms can occur without warning. Magnesium plays a key role in muscle contraction and relaxation, and when levels are low, muscles can experience involuntary spasms or cramps. Increasing magnesium intake can help reduce these occurrences.

Constant tiredness and weakness without an obvious cause could be due to magnesium deficiency. Magnesium helps produce energy at the cellular level, and insufficient amounts can leave the body feeling sluggish and drained. Increasing magnesium intake can significantly improve energy levels.

Magnesium plays an important role in mood regulation. Low levels of magnesium have been linked to increased anxiety and depression. Since magnesium is involved in neurotransmitter function, a deficiency could lead to feeling more stressed, anxious, or down.

Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep could signal low magnesium levels. Magnesium is involved in regulating sleep-wake cycles, and a deficiency can make it harder to relax at night. Ensuring adequate magnesium intake can improve sleep quality.

Heart palpitations or irregular heartbeats can sometimes be linked to magnesium deficiency. Magnesium is crucial for proper heart function, and low levels can interfere with the heart’s electrical activity. If these symptoms arise, it’s important to pay attention to magnesium intake.

Frequent headaches, including migraines, could be related to magnesium deficiency. Magnesium helps regulate neurotransmitters and blood vessel function, and research suggests that low levels may contribute to migraines. Those who experience regular headaches might want to consider checking their magnesium intake.

Magnesium helps relax blood vessels and regulates blood pressure, so a deficiency could contribute to elevated blood pressure levels. For those noticing an increase in blood pressure, incorporating more magnesium-rich foods may help support heart health naturally.

Issues like constipation and bloating can occur due to low magnesium levels. Magnesium helps regulate muscle contractions in the digestive tract, and increasing magnesium intake—along with proper hydration—can improve digestive health.

Experiencing tingling or numbness in the hands or feet without an obvious cause can indicate magnesium deficiency. Magnesium is crucial for nerve function, and low levels may result in these strange sensations. Regularly checking magnesium intake could help alleviate these symptoms.

If any of these signs seem familiar, it might be time to evaluate magnesium levels. The good news is that increasing magnesium intake through magnesium-rich foods, such as leafy greens, nuts, and seeds, or considering a supplement, can make a significant difference in overall health.