Americans are chronically low in magnesium. The signs are everywhere with all of the road rage, abuse, high blood pressure, and stress that people live with on a daily basis.
It’s most well known as the calming nutrient because of its ability to relax muscles, help us sleep, regulate hormones, relax blood vessels, and relieve depression. Aren’t you calmer just reading about it?
Magnesium moves dietary calcium into the bones, decalcifies arteries, helps prevent blood clotting, and improves mental disorders like anxiety, hyperactivity, and depression.
This wonder nutrient is responsible for the regulation of over 300 body processes. That’s why it makes the list of Top 5 Real Food Supplements.
Fun Facts
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), magnesium is related to the gall bladder and liver. This makes sense when most of our illnesses stem from digestive issues.
Did you know that our bodies use 54 molecules of magnesium to deal with a single molecule of sugar? Between a high sugar and refined foods diet, high stress (which also depletes magnesium), and impaired digestion, it’s no wonder over 75% of the population has a chronic magnesium deficiency.
Symptoms of Magnesium Deficiency
- muscle cramps and spasms, like that weird eye twitch you get when you’re really stressed
- PMS & menstrual cramps
- migraines
- constipation
- body odor
- anxiety
- depression
- rapid heartbeat
- high blood pressure
- atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries)
- Attention Deficit [Hyperactivity] Disorder (ADD/ADHD)
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)
- nausea
- teeth and bone deficiencies (tooth decay, osteoporosis, etc.)
- soft tissue calcium deposits (osteoarthritis, bone spurs, etc.)
Top Sources for Increasing Magnesium Levels
(affiliate links)
- Properly-prepared grains and legumes (soaked and sprouted)
*Transdermal (through the skin) magnesium is the preferred method for supplementation. It doesn’t cause digestive upset and allows more magnesium to be absorbed than oral supplements.
Further Reading
Sources
Healing with Whole Foods: Asian Traditions and Modern Nutrition by Paul Pitchford
Rebuild from Depression: A Nutrient Guide Including Depression in Pregnancy and Postpartum
by Amanda Rose, PhD
This post is part of Simple Lives Thursday, Traditional Tuesdays, Fat Tuesday, GAPS Friendly Friday, Family Table Tuesday
Photo Credit: Viroqua Food Co-op
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13 Responses
Love it! I’ve been using magnesium oil for six or so months now and my restless legs are finally gone! 🙂
Robin, we overlap in so many ways. I think I’m starting to get a blog crush on you. 😉 Don’t tell Mommypotamus. She’s my biggest crush! lol
While searching for the flakes and oil on Amazon I found a couple magnesium lotions. Of course they were crazy expensive so was thinking about making it at home. I already have the ingredients for lotion (shea, cocoa butter, etc.) But can’t figure out what “medium” of magnesium I should add in …… any ideas?
Magnesium chloride has been shown to be retained by the body better than the form found in Epson salt (magnesium sulfate). I use the chloride form, but, we stick with regular Epsom salt baths for my daughter unless she asks for a spray of Mag oil because Mag chloride makes her itchy even in a bath.
Great little article. I too am a fan of magnesium. There are so many benefits of magnesium I think everyone should be taking a daily supplement.
Thanks for helping spread the word.
I agree. With the chronic digestive disorders and most people’s diets, there is definitely a need to supplement. Luckily, transdermal applications are the most effective so easy for everyone to use.
Magnesium is an essential part of human immune health system the Magnesium Deficiency can cause a lot of trouble to the health of a person…above article is good about the benefits of magnesium of for human health….
I’m getting stressed out thinking how much this is going to cost me.