A magnesium deficiency can cause seizures, muscle spasms and cramps.
Seizures are usually a response to biochemical imbalances that have powerful effects upon the central nervous system. An individual prone to seizures may have an excitable nature in that the fight-or-flight mechanism is extremely sensitive and active. The fight-or-flight response is an adrenalin-fueled reaction to situations that entail extreme anxiety. This causes the excessive removal of calcium, magnesium and zinc through urination. As a result, the individual becomes deficient in these minerals at the tissue level.
Causes
There are two kinds of seizures: grand mal and petit mal. The cause is an electrical discharge within the brain that quickly spreads out of control throughout the central nervous system like a wildfire. They differ in the degree of electrical charge and in severity of symptoms. A person experiencing a petit mal seizure usually notices a numbness or mild paralysis in some part of the body lasting only a few seconds or minutes. The more severe grand mal seizure involves spasmodic jerking of the limbs, uncontrolled bowel and bladder elimination and loss of consciousness; following this is extensive exhaustion, often lasting several hours. Specific nutrient deficiencies of zinc, selenium, calcium and magnesium cause this condition. Researchers have observed that epileptics also suffer from magnesium deficiency in the blood.
Eclampsia Seizures
A leading cause of mortality in pregnant females in both Third World and industrialized nations is eclampsia. The condition involves one or more seizures during the pregnancy, delivery or up to 10 days during the postpartum period. Physicians prefer magnesium sulfate to treat this condition. Magnesium sulfate has never been considered an anticonvulsant agent, but is effective in preventing recurrent seizures. Side effects include hot flashes and flushing, headaches, nausea, blurred vision, lethargy, hypothermia, urinary retention and constipation. The greatest concern with magnesium sulfate is an accidental overdose, which brings a danger of cardiopulmonary arrest and death.
Functions
Magnesium is required in more than 300 biochemical and enzymatic reactions that take place daily in the body. This element is needed to maintain normal muscle and nerve functions and also works to support a healthy immune system, heart rhythm and strong bones. It functions in the regulation of blood sugar levels and blood pressure as well as energy metabolism and protein synthesis. In addition, it is important in the prevention of hypertension, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
When symptoms of magnesium depletion appear, especially in children, the first step is to eliminate milk from the diet. The calcium atoms tend to tie up the magnesium.
The pituitary gland is sometimes called the "master gland" because it appears to regulate the functions of all the other glands. If there is a lack of magnesium, or if the pituitary is not functioning correctly, the body will suffer the symptoms of magnesium deficiency.
Depletion
Symptoms of magnesium depletion include anxiety, spasms, muscle cramps, fatigue, headaches, irritability, low energy and sleep disorders. Research data has shown that epilepsy patients have a magnesium deficiency. Some physicians prescribe magnesium gluconate, finding it successfully reduces and, in some cases, stops seizures when anti-convulsant drugs had little effect. Magnesium gluconate is a form of magnesium which the system easily absorbs. Most patients tolerate this medication safely without complaint. The only side effect is drowsiness in some patients.
Deficiency Seizures
Adults have about 27 grams of magnesium; about 60 percent is bound into the skeleton. At least 25 percent is located in muscle tissue and most of the remaining magnesium functions in cellular metabolism. In relation to seizures, magnesium is an important control because it not only regulates nerve and muscle relaxation, but acts as a chemical gatekeeper. The presence of magnesium atoms keeps calcium atoms from flooding into nerve cells and overstimulating them. In this way, magnesium keeps the nerves relaxed. Otherwise, the nerves become excessively active and stimulate the muscles; thus, muscle cramps, spasms, twitching and even seizures can result. Restless Leg Syndrome is related to a magnesium deficiency.
Tags: magnesium deficiency, calcium atoms, calcium magnesium, central nervous, central nervous system, magnesium depletion, magnesium pituitary