When I worked in traditional medicine we used magnesium in the emergency room to stop pre-term labor or to relax a heart that had a life threatening irregular beat. In my clinic now I use magnesium for its powerful effects on blood sugar levels, to lower blood pressure, to build bone, to treat pain and as a wonderful relaxation mineral for anxiety. Any part of the body that is tight or cramped, magnesium will relax. I also prescribe magnesium for fatigue as it literally is involved in the creation of energy in the body.
The bad news is that most of us are deficient in this important nutrient. Magnesium is one of the most depleted minerals in our soil so the foods of today have much less than in our grandmother’s day. Studies have shown that 30% of the population has significant magnesium deficiency. Since Magnesium is difficult to measure in the blood it is likely even higher than that.
Here I will share with you symptoms associated with magnesium deficiency and five ways to increase your levels and optimize your health.
A magnesium deficiency is likely if you have:
- Muscle cramps or twitches
- Anxiety
- Palpitations
- Constipation
- Headaches
- Fibromyalgia
- Chronic fatigue
- Diabetes
- Osteoporosis
- High blood pressure
- If you take diuretic for high blood pressure
- If you take medication that block acid for Acid Reflux
- PMS/Menstrual cramps
The wonderful news is that magnesium levels are easy to restore and there are no serious side effects
Here are five ways to maximize your magnesium
- Increase your consumption of magnesium rich foods.
Most dietary magnesium comes from vegetables, such as dark green, leafy vegetables. Other foods that are good sources of magnesium:
- Fruits or vegetables (such as bananas, dried apricots, and avocados)
- Nuts (such as almonds and cashews)
- Peas and beans (legumes), seeds
- Soy products (such as soy flour and tofu)
- Whole grains (such as brown rice and millet)
- Cut the cola.
Most dark colored sodas contain phosphates. Phosphates find magnesium in your digestive tract and bind it making it unavailable to your body. So even if you eat a wonderful meal rich in magnesium, if you wash it down with a cola your body will never receive the magnesium.
- Slash stress
The hormones released when we are under stress have been shown to decrease magnesium. Even mild stress such as driving in traffic, getting through a day of emails, meetings or home management with children is enough to decrease our magnesium.
- Take a Supplement
The most absorbable forms of oral magnesium are citrate, glycinate taurate and aspartate. The side effect of too much magnesium is diarrhea.
- Soak in Magnesium
My very favorite way to get magnesium into the body is topically. Epsom salts are Magnesium sulphate and are wonderful as a bath or foot soak in the evenings. Topical magnesium has been shown to be extremely absorbable. I spray Magnesium Infusion™ onto my husband’s feet at night as a way to connect and ensure that he has his magnesium for the day. I use the same spray myself when I come out of the shower.
All of us can benefit from this miracle mineral and relax into all it has to offer us.
Tell me if you any questions and please share. Health is contagious – pass it around!