Most people are not aware that Magnesium is needed in pretty much every area of our bodies from muscle recovery to heart to digestion. In fact, every single organ in our body requires magnesium in order to function properly.
Most people are also not aware that the majority of the population is deficient in magnesium! In fact, it’s even more staggering when you consider that a whopping 20% of adults are so magnesium deficient that it can and likely is affecting their overall health. If you suffer from unexplained fatigue or weakness, abnormal heart rhythms or even muscle spasms and eye twitches, low levels of magnesium could be to blame.
Magnesium is present in all cells of the body and is involved in over 300 biochemical processes – including energy production. Magnesium deficiency is one of the most common mineral deficiencies in North America and it can lead to a multitude of symptoms and health concerns.
It surprises people to learn how they could potentially become magnesium deficient; overly sweet or gluten-laden foods, caffeine, pop, alcohol, too much stress, and some prescription medications are all contributing factors to magnesium deficiency. It’s easy to tell by that list if you might be deficient, as so many of us overly indulge ourselves in foods and drinks that are bad for us, and many of us live with constant stress. To be absolutely certain if your body is depleted in this utmost important mineral, you could go ahead have a blood test through your medical practitioner to see if in fact you are. However, only 1 percent of magnesium in your body is distributed in your blood, making a simple sample of magnesium from a serum magnesium blood test not entirely useful.
Magnesium deficiency can make one feel upset or anxious, restless, and causes sleep issues, such as falling or staying asleep. It can also cause or exacerbate muscle aches or spasms, such as Restless Leg Syndrome or shin splints. What magnesium does for our body is help the muscles to relax so they aren’t in a constant state of contraction. It helps with muscle recovery so is popular among runners. But so many more of us could benefit from taking a magnesium supplement: It makes the kidneys, heart and digestive tract function better when our magnesium levels are optimal. We feel an overall better sense of wellness, and who wouldn’t want to feel less stressed or depressed?
There are many different forms of magnesium, but magnesium bisglycinate has been shown to be more readily absorbed and bioavailable compared to other forms of magnesium, and can be found in a powder form such as our own MagSense.
Most magnesium is stored in your bones and organs, where it is used for many biological functions. Yet, it’s quite possible to be deficient and not know it, which is why magnesium deficiency has been dubbed the “invisible deficiency.” Some medical professionals are even going so far as to declare it a medical epidemic.
Recommended daily amounts of 310 to 320 milligrams (mg) for women and 400 to 420 for men are required for the optimal magnesium balance. You can find magnesium in foods such as dark leafy greens, nuts, seeds, fish, beans, whole grains, avocados, yogurt, bananas, dried fruit, and dark chocolate, and you can safely supplement to make up the difference.
Magnesium supplementation may be helpful for:
- Muscle cramping
- Supporting cardiovascular health
- Restless Leg Syndrome
- Headaches & migraines
- PMS & menstrual cramps
- Insomnia
- Mood stabilization & depression
- Metabolic syndrome & blood sugar balance
- Maintaining strong, healthy bones
If you are interested in learning more about how and why our bodies become deficient and how we can go about repairing the damage magnesium deficiency causes, please read Mighty Magnesium: The Unlikely Health Hero by Bruce W. Cole. It is a thorough read and will show you where you can find magnesium in food and how to avoid becoming depleted.
To Your Good Health!
This article has been provided to you by Preferred nutrition blog.
