Researchers have found that low magnesium levels have been associated with osteoporosis, asthma, colon cancer, type 2 diabetes, migraine headaches, metabolic syndrome, atherosclerotic vascular disease, elevated C-reactive protein, hypertension and sudden cardiac death. With some estimates suggesting that the rate of magnesium deficiency in the United States could be as high as 90% of Americans, it is important that we educate ourselves!
Magnesium plays a very important role in our lives, responsible for over 300 biochemical reactions in the body. Some of these reactions include: detoxification in the liver, formation of bones and teeth and temperature regulation. It impacts your metabolism, blood pressure and immune function among other aspects of our health.
The Weston A. Price foundation advised, “Magnesium alone can fulfill the role of many common cardiac medications: magnesium inhibits blood clots (like aspirin), thins the blood (like Coumadin), blocks calcium uptake (like calcium channel-blocking drugs such as Procardia) and relaxes blood vessels (like ACE inhibitors such as Vasotec).”
While magnesium is an important mineral, it also acts as an electrolyte. Contained in many ‘sports drinks’, magnesium is one of the electrolytes that has been credited for treating the common problems faced by athletes such as muscle cramps.
Watch for These Signs and Symptoms of Magnesium Deficiency:
- ADHD
- Aggression
- Anger
- Anxiety
- Anxiety disorders such as OCD
- Behavioral disturbances
- Brain fog
- Chronic back pain
- Constipation
- Depression
- Fatigue
- Headaches
- High blood pressure (Hypertension)
- Impaired memory/thinking
- Insomnia
- Lethargy
- Migraines
- Muscle cramps
- Muscular Pain
- Pain
- Seizures
- Sleep disturbances
- Tendonitis
- Tension
“Similarly, patients with diagnoses of depression, epilepsy, diabetes mellitus, tremor, Parkinsonism, arrhythmias, circulatory disturbances (stroke, cardiac infarction, arteriosclerosis), hypertension, migraine, cluster headache, cramps, neuro-vegetative disorders, abdominal pain, osteoporosis, asthma, stress dependent disorders, tinnitus, ataxia, confusion, preeclampsia, weakness, might also be consequences of the magnesium deficiency syndrome.” – Journal of the American College of Nutrition
What Can We Do?
Magnesium deficiency is rather simple to resolve, with the right forms of magnesium on hand. There are many pills or solutions that can be taken internally available on the market, which have been found to be highly effective, however they can also stress the kidneys or result in disturbances to the digestive system.
There are also topical treatments available to provide the body with magnesium. When these treatments are sprayed onto the skin, the body absorbs what it needs at a relatively fast rate. This magnesium is able to move direction tot eh blood and tissues, bypassing the kidneys. Soaking in an Epsom salt bath will also provide magnesium to your body, as well as sulfur for your liver.
Lastly, we can ensure that we include magnesium rich foods in our diet. The top ten magnesium foods include:
- Spinach
- Chard
- Pumpkin Seeds
- Yogurt
- Almonds
- Black Beans
- Avocado
- Figs
- Dark Chocolate
- Bananas