If you've experienced muscle cramps, anxiety, headaches, insomnia, fatigue, constipation, irritability or inability to chillax then there's a strong chance that you are highly deficient in magnesium.
What’s more it turns out approximately 80% of Australian adults are chronically magnesium deficient.
Why is Magnesium important?
Magnesium is coined the Master Mineral as it is responsible for more than 300 different vital functions in the body including energy production, stress management, muscle contraction and relaxation, digestion and keeping you regular to name a few…
When you are magnesium deficient, everything in the body starts to grumble, fumble or crumble. This can greatly compromise your health. A one off bad day turns into a regular occurrence if you get my drift.
Why is magnesium depleted
There are a number of reasons that magnesium is depleted from the body including:
Long-term stress
Drinking of caffeine (tea, coffee, energy drinks)
Consumption of sugar (It takes 28 molecules of magnesium to metabolize a single glucose molecule! source)
Drinking of alcohol
Taking pharmaceutical medications like the pill, diuretics, some antibiotics
Sweating from exercise.
What are the best food sources?
The richest sources of magnesium are from eating green leafy vegetables like swiss chard and spinach, broccoli, nuts and seeds especially pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, cashews, almonds and brazil nuts.
Tofu, legumes such as pinto beans and lentils, whole grains such as brown rice and oats, cacao powder and dark chocolate (with 70-85% cocoa). I love Pana Chocolate as it is organic, has no refined sugar, tastes unbelievable and is made locally.
But what happens if you consume too much?
Eating too much magnesium rich foods won’t be harmful to your health, as your kidneys eliminate any excess.
High doses of magnesium from supplements, however, could cause nausea, abdominal cramping or bolting to the toilet AKA the runs! So it’s important to work with your health specialist to make sure you get the best results for your specific needs.
Need more answers?
If you would like a personalised plan to improve your energy, digestion, reduce headaches, anxiety or insomnia let’s talk today. Book in for a phone, Skype or face-to-face consultation to recharge and restore your body to good health.