If you’re like many of my patients, magnesium isn’t a supplement you’ve heard much about. It’s become more popular lately and for good reason…it is needed for over 300 processes in our body!
Why should I care about my magnesium levels?
- Sleep issues
- Heart disease
- Anxiety
- Cancer
- Diabetes
- Arthritis
- Sore / tense muscles
- and so much more.
Magnesium and calcium need to be in balance with each other in order for you to be in good health. Calcium and magnesium work as opposites – calcium contracts the muscles while magnesium relaxes them. Calcium is needed for blood clotting, but magnesium keeps the blood flowing freely.
Why are we deficient?
Well first of all, it is not a mineral our body can produce on it’s own, so we have to get it from an outside source. Over the years, the natural magnesium in our soil has been decreasing. This means we aren’t getting magnesium in our food supply like we used to.
How do I know if I need it?
By some estimates, up to 80 percent of Americans are not getting enough of this key mineral. Magnesium insufficiency has been implicated in a wide range of health challenges. One of the most common signs in magnesium deficiency in adults is trouble sleeping – causing you to be restless or wake often.
How would low magnesium impact me?
Magnesium helps your muscles and nerves function properly; it keeps your heart rhythm steady, supports a healthy immune system and also assists in keeping your bones strong. This essential mineral helps regulate blood sugar levels, promotes normal blood pressure and is required for producing and storing energy. It’s easy to see why many researchers say that no single dietary factor is as critical as magnesium.
If you are low in magnesium, you may suffer from:
- Anxiety
- Muscle spasms/cramps
- Headaches
- Trouble sleeping
- Loss of appetite
- Feeling constantly fatigued or weak
- Quick exhaustion during exercise. Research has found that during moderate activity, women with low magnesium levels in their muscle are likely to use more energy and tire far more quickly.
I’m convinced! What kind of magnesium should I take?
Some forms have a higher tendency to cause diarrhea. We recommend Magnesium Buffered Chelate because it is easily absorbed. We offer the Magnesium Buffered Chelate in a capsule and we also have a flavored Magnesium Citrate powder that dissolves in water that you can drink.
I hope you better understand why you need magnesium! If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to stop by or give us a call.
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