“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 is Magnesium?
There are fifteen essential minerals required by our bodies to function properly. These can be divided into “trace minerals”, those required in very small amounts, and “macro-minerals” or “major minerals”, those required in larger amounts.
The six major minerals required in excess of 250 mg per day include:
Calcium
Magnesium
Potassium
Phosphorous
Sodium
Chloride
Magnesium is the 4th most abundant mineral in the body, it is one of the most vital and essential enzyme co-factors to over three hundred reactions in the body, necessary for transmission of nerve impulses, temperature regulations, detoxification in the liver and formation of bones and teeth. Regulates more reaction in the body than any other mineral and it is responsible for the most important cellular functions: energy production and cellular reproduction. Magnesium:
Is an important factor in muscle relaxation
Allows nerves to send messages in the brain and nervous system
Aids and regulates the body’s use of calcium and other minerals
Regulates the metabolism of nutrients such as protein, nucleic acids, fats and carbohydrates
Regulates cholesterol production and helps modulate insulin sensitivity
Assists in energy production, DNA transcription and protein synthesis
Maintains the structural health of cell membranes throughout the body
Muscle activity.
The production of energy from carbohydrates and fats.
The production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which provides energy for nearly all of the body’s metabolic processes.
The production and maintenance of healthy bones, including the synthesis of bone matrix, bone mineral metabolism and the maintenance of bone density.
Maintenance of healthy heart function and normal heart rhythm.
Magnesium impacts nearly all of systems of the body due to its cellular and molecular function. Magnesium’s effect on the body can be as intense as that of many prescription drugs, because magnesium functions as a regulator of electrolyte balance, metabolism, and other biochemical reactions. Unlike prescription drugs, however, magnesium is recognized as an essential component of the body, not a foreign element. When supplied sufficiently, magnesium is actually conserved by the body for future use. Medications, on the other hand, tend to treat only one symptom or disease, and are flushed out of the body as toxins, thus taxing the liver and the body’s detoxification systems.
Why are we magnesium deficient? There are a few factors for this: Our soils are depleted and not properly maintained, digestive disorders that lead to the mal-absorption of vitamins and minerals in the gut, the increase of stress in society is leading the contact stress hormones release in the body which also requires the use of high levels of magnesium so depletes our bodies, increased sugar intake- for every molecule of sugar eaten it takes 54 molecules of magnesium to process it, increase of processed foods in or diet which are nutritionally void and some are also anti nutrients- which strip the body of the nutrients it does have, high rate of use of prescription drugs such as oral contraceptives, antibiotics, cortisone, prednisone and blood pressure medications depletes magnesium, diuretics in coffee and tea (caffeine) also raise excretion levels.. AND fluoride! It competes for absorption with magnesium! + all of the pesticides, toxins, chemicals etc that we are exposed to on a daily basis. The body also loses stores of magnesium every day from normal functions, such as muscle movement, heartbeat and hormone production.
Other factors that can have a negative impact on your magnesium levels include:
Inadequate/improper sleep
Profuse perspiration.
Excessive consumption of alcohol.
Having heavy menstrual periods.
Symptoms include:
Constipation
Hypertension
High blood pressure
Anxiety
Depression
Insomnia
Behavioural disturbances
Lethargy
Impaired memory/thinking
Poor cardiovascular health
Seizures
Fatigue
Acne
Psoriasis
Eczema
Allergies/ Hay-fever
Asthma
Sleep disturbances
Pain
Muscle cramps
Chronic back pain
Poor circulation
Period pain
PMS
Headaches
Migraines
Muscular pain
Tendonitis
Anger
Aggression
Stress
Irritability
Poor bone health
ADHD
Brain fog
Tension
Anxiety disorders such as OCD
The following are conditions that are likely to have magnesium deficiency affecting the health of the person:
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Adrenal fatigue
Fibromyalgia
Heart Disease
Diabetes
Blood pressure irregularities
ADD + ADHA
Restless Leg Syndrome
Atrial Fibrillation
Heart Palpitations
Osteoporosis
Diabetes
Sudden Death in patients with Congestive Heart Failure
Kidney Stones
Why do magnesium deficiency symptoms sound like so many other diseases? All dis-ease begins when the body is exposed to stress, toxins, and is deficient in life-supporting compounds such as vitamins and minerals. It all starts with increasing levels of toxemia. Toxemia simply means internal pollution… and it is the main cause of all disease and degeneration. Internal pollution comes from toxins, such as: aspartame, chlorine, MSG, pesticides, mercury, carcinogens, fluoride, air pollution, water pollution, heavy metals, plastic, parabens, etc. Internal pollution can be exacerbated if you are nutritionally deficient, not getting enough water, stressed, or making poor dietary choices. As soon as you are nutritionally deficient, your immune system becomes depressed and unable to do its job.
Food Sources of Magnesium:
Green leafy vegetables (e.g. spinach and kale)
Fruit (figs, avocado, banana and raspberries)
Nuts and seeds
Legumes (black beans, chickpeas and kidney beans)
Vegetables (peas, broccoli, cabbage, green beans, artichokes, asparagus, brussle sprouts)
Seafood (salmon, mackerel, tuna)
Whole grains (brown rice and oats)
Raw cacao
Baked beans
How to ensure you are getting enough magnesium: - Eat magnesium rich foods grown on organic soil. - Take ionic magnesium drops. - Apply magnesium oil to your skin! This bypasses the digestive system and goes straight into the blood stream. - Soak in an epsom salt baths. This will provide not only magnesium, but sulfur for your liver as well.
Recommended products
I always recommend purchasing supplements that are whole foods and in their closest form to nature as much as possible, preferably in ionic form.
Always consult your health care provider before starting any new supplements or herbs