Magnesium:
This mineral is essential for enzyme activity, calcium and potassium uptake, nerve transmission, bone formation and metabolism of carbohydrates and minerals. It is magnesium, not calcium, that helps form hard tooth enamel, resistant to decay.
Like calcium and chloride, magnesium also plays a role in regulating the acid-alkaline balance in the body. High magnesium levels in drinking water have been linked to resistance to heart disease. Although it is found in many foods, including dairy products, nuts, vegetables, fish, meat and seafood, deficiencies are common in America due to soil depletion, poor absorption and lack of minerals in drinking water.
A diet high in carbohydrates, oxalic acid in foods like raw spinach and phytic acid found in whole grains can cause deficiencies. An excellent source of usable magnesium is beef, chicken or fish broth. High amounts of zinc and vitamin D increase magnesium requirements. Magnesium deficiency can result in coronary heart disease, chronic weight loss, obesity, fatigue, epilepsy and impaired brain function. Chocolate cravings are a sign of magnesium deficiency.
Why is the calcium magnesium ratio so important?
This workhorse of a mineral plays many roles in your body, including:2
- Gives rigidity AND flexibility to your bones
- Increases bioavailability of calcium
- Regulates and normalizes blood pressure
- Prevents and reverses kidney stone formation
- Promotes restful sleep
- Helps prevent congestive heart failure
- Eases muscle cramps and spasms
- Lowers serum cholesterol levels and triglycerides
- Decreases insulin resistance
- Can prevent artherosclerosis and stroke
- End cluster and migraine headaches
- Enhances circulation
- Relieves fibromyalgia and chronic pain
- Treats asthma and emphysema
- Helps make proteins
- Encourages proper elimination
- Prevents osteoporosis
Magnesium is a magnificent mineral and imperative for good health.
But a poor diet of processed foods and a stressful lifestyle can lead to mineral deficiencies, including magnesium. If you ARE deficient in magnesium, you may notice a wide range of symptoms.
Magnesium Deficiency Symptoms
Because magnesium is active in so many different processes in your body, magnesium deficiency symptoms are varied and can include:
- Insomnia
- Anxiety, hyperactivity, restlessness
- Constipation
- Muscle spasms, twitches, soreness
- Difficulty swallowing
- Back aches
- Headaches
- Chest tightness and difficulty breathing
- Heart palpitations
- High blood pressure
- Extreme fatigue
- Osteoporosis
Any of these common symptoms may indicate that you need more magnesium in your diet, but this simple mineral can help eliminate these symptoms and enhance your health.
Reverse Your Magnesium Deficiency Symptoms
Diet and lifestyle play a key role in your magnesium intake. Here are some simple and easy ways to boost your magnesium intake:
- Eat green vegetables. Green vegetables have lots of chlorophyll, a molecule that contains magnesium.
- Avoid refined and processed foods. Most refined products like white sugar and processed foods made with white flour have had their magnesium removed.
- Try fermented foods and drinks. Fermented foods and drinks populate your gut with probiotics (beneficial bacteria and yeast) that help your body absorb more magnesium from your food.