I am so excited to share with you my favourite mineral…magnesium!! Few people are aware of how vital magnesium is for overall health. 8 in 10 Americans do not consume enough magnesium. Followed by oxygen, water and food, magnesium is likely the most important element needed by our bodies. Why you’re wondering? Magnesium is a muscle relaxant, while calcium is a muscle constrictor. Magnesium activates over 300 different biochemical reactions necessary for your body to function properly!
Why are so many people deficient in magnesium?
Magnesium has been depleted from our soils, which further depletes the levels in our plants. This is due to use of potassium and fertilizers, which alter the plants ability to uptake magnesium. Food processing, broiling, steaming, and boiling removes magnesium from our food. As we age magnesium intake is also impaired.
Magnesium deficiency can lead to many health issues such as:
- Heart disease
- Insomnia
- Headaches and migraines
- Stress
- Anxiety, pain attacks, and depression
- Arthritis
- High blood pressure
- Restless leg syndrome (RLS)
- Osteoporosis
- Muscles, nerves, tics, and spasms
- Impaired protein metabolism
- Impaired vitamin B activation
- PMS
Other causes of magnesium depletion:
- Stress
- Caffeine
- Sugar
- Alcohol
- Tobacco
- Drugs of all types
- Perspiration
- Low thyroid function
- Diabetes
- Chronic pain
- Diuretic
- High carbohydrate and sodium diets
- High calcium diet as you want the ratio of calcium to magnesium to be 2:1
Food sources that contain the highest levels of magnesium include:
dried or roasted pumpkin seeds,
flax seeds, leafy greens like spinach, brazil nuts, sunflower seeds, and almonds. (Basically a lot of nuts and seeds).
Magnesium is a muscle relaxant, so great for stress relief and calming.
You can get magnesium in capsule form or powder form. The recommended daily allowance for magnesium is about 320 mg per day for women and 400 mg per men. I love Natural Calm magnesium powder; I mix it in warm water 30 minutes before bed to allow for a better nights sleep!! (Warning: build your magnesium levels up your first few times taking, as it is a muscle relaxant too much can cause diarrhea).
Now lets get those magnesium levels up to decrease stress levels, anxiety, and most importantly for me a great nights sleep and so much more!!
Keep relaxed!
~Jamie