2. Magnesium
This mineral is used in virtually every metabolic function in the body.
It is the conductor by which cells communicate with one other.
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Magnesium deficiency can cause anxiety and depression. (15)
Magnesium supplementation alleviates symptoms of depression. (16, 17, 18)
Many antidepressants cause magnesium depletion, such as the ever-popular Prozac. (19)
So here we have the chicken and the egg: did a magnesium deficiency cause depression?
By taking an antidepressant drug that further depletes this crucial mineral, was depression made worse?
Was simply adding more magnesium to your diet the right solution to begin with?
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Signs of magnesium deficiency include:
- Anxiety, depression
- Seizures
- Dizziness
- Confusion, memory loss
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Cystitis
- Potassium deficiency: may cause extreme thirst, fluid retention, and irritability
- Muscle cramps
- Migraines
- Heart issues
- Hypertension
- Blood clots
- Difficulty swallowing
- Asthma
- Liver and kidney disease
- Calcium deficiency
- Bowel disease
- Tremors
- Osteoporosis
- Constipation
- Fatigue
- Type II diabetes/ hypoglycemia
- Respiratory difficulties
- Nausea
- Fertility/childbearing issues: getting or staying pregnant, preeclampsia, preterm labor
- Insomnia
- Tooth decay
- Raynaud’s syndrome: may cause cold fingers or toes, color changes in skin due to temperature changes, and numbness in extremities
- Personality changes: often similar to symptoms of anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders.
You can find a list of magnesium-rich foods here.
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