Last week a lady sat down with me and asked, “What’s the one, single supplement I can take to improve my health and make me feel better?”
I had to chuckle. As many times as I’m asked that question I still wonder, wouldn’t it be nice if there were such a thing?
Unfortunately, there’s no magic pill you can take to make everything better. But if there is one nutrient I’d suggest, it’s magnesium. Almost 75% of people don’t get enough in their diet. [1]
Every organ of your body needs magnesium. It binds to nearly 4,000 protein sites and is responsible for over 300 enzyme reactions. Magnesium helps other nutrients such as Vitamin D, calcium and potassium work better. Your digestion, metabolism, muscles, nerves, blood, bones and even your DNA all depend on this vital nutrient.
When you have enough magnesium, your cells function better and you feel more energetic and less depressed. Your bones remain stronger. Blood pressure is reduced and blood sugar levels remain more stable.
But let’s say for a moment you eat really healthy. Could you be getting enough magnesium?
Possibly.
But if your diet also contains too much caffeine, alcohol, soda, or sugar your body will begin to excrete the magnesium you’ve stored in your body.
Simply coming down with a fever, cold or the flu can also decrease your magnesium. So can too much time spent sweating in the sauna, the gym or at the beach.
If you have a medical condition such as diabetes, gut issues like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or if you take a medication such as a diuretic or proton pump inhibitor (PPI) your levels may be lower than you think.
So how do you make sure you’re getting enough magnesium? Have healthy servings of magnesium-rich foods each and every day and consider investing in a good magnesium supplement.
The top five food choices for magnesium are:
- Green vegetables
- Whole grains
- Nuts and Seeds
- Beans and Lentils
- Seafood
Several magnesium supplements are on the market and they’re not all created equal. If you want to be assured your magnesium is absorbed properly and made available to your cells and brain, here are my top three suggestions:
- Magnesium threonate is a form of magnesium easily absorbed and quick to penetrate the mitochondria, the energy producing part of the cell. Some preliminary research suggests taking this form has memory enhancing properties.[2]
- Magnesium glycinate is a chelated form, which makes it highly available and easily absorbed. Both glycine and magnesium have calming properties and this form offers both relaxation and pain relief.
- Magnesium citrate is widely available as a cost effective choice. Combined with citric acid, this form of magnesium may loosen stools however, which may be a blessing if you’re constipated. If they become too loose, you know you have enough magnesium and simply lower your dose.
Symptoms Connected to Low Magnesium Levels:
- Muscle cramps
- Facial twitches
- Headache
- PMS
- Anxiety
- Hyperactivity
- Sleep problems
- Diabetes
- Osteoporosis
- Diastolic high blood pressure
- Cardiovascular problems
- Emotional ups and downs
- Short-term memory loss
- Panic attacks
- Depression
- Anxiety disorders
- Irrational fears
- Easy to anger
- Early-morning awakening
- Fatigue
- Constipation
- Cravings for chocolate or sweets
- Unusual sensitivity to loud noises
- Excessive perspiration
- Increased frequency of urination
Finally, a relaxing way to enhance your magnesium intake is to fill a bathtub with hot water and Epsom salt. Epsom salt is a form of magnesium sulfate that is absorbed through the skin. Light candles, turn down the lights and enjoy.
[1] Combs GF, Nielsen FH. Health significance of calcium and magnesium: Examples from human studies. In: World Health Organization. Calcium and Magnesium in Drinking Water: Public health significance. Geneva: World Health Organization Press; 2009.
[2] Slutsky I, Abumaria N, Wu LJ, et al. Enhancement of learning and memory by elevating brain magnesium. Neuron. 2010 Jan 28;65(2):165-77
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