Did you know that Magnesium is part of over 300 biochemical reactions in the human body? This means Magnesium is pretty important for our bodies to function properly. Magnesium is believed to play a role in:
Cardiovascular health/blood pressure control
Bone health
Avoiding/reducing migraines
Improving PMS
Improving Sleep
Reducing muscle aches
Reducing anxiety
Improving glucose control in diabetics
Historically, humans have received adequate magnesium from their diet and water supply. However, recently our diets have become high in processed foods and filtered water, leading to deficient in magnesium content. To complicate matters, doctors will test for magnesium deficiency through blood tests, yet very small amounts (10%) of our magnesium is stored in our blood, making blood work ineffective at detecting deficiency. Due to these factors, it is important to make sure you consume unprocessed foods that are high in Magnesium daily.
Good food sources of magnesium include:
nuts and seeds
spinach
peanut butter
whole grain breads
avocado
enriched whole grain cereals
dark chocolate
quinoa
black beans
yogurt
If consuming enough food high in Magnesium seems difficult, you can also take a Magnesium supplement. Luckily toxicity with Magnesium supplementation is typically rare, except in some cases such as kidney disease. (It is always good to check with you doctor to be sure a supplement is safe for you.). I recommend “Calm”, which is a nutrient blend containing Magnesium glycinate, a form of magnesium that is more readily absorbed by the body. Once you are getting adequate Magnesium, you will likely find:
You sleep better/ no insomnia
Less headaches
Less muscle spasms/cramps
Less fatigue
Less dizziness or fogginess
Less tiggling or numbness in fingers and hands
Improved mood/ reduced anxiety
Lower blood pressure
Improved glucose control
Magnesium really is one of the “super” minerals!
For help balancing your diet and making sure you consume adequate amounts of the various essential nutrients, for a healthier you, schedule a Medical Nutrition Therapy session with me and my team. You can also find us for virtual appointments on ZocDoc under Elena Ostrovsky.
Elena Ostrovsky founder of
Nutri-Wellness LLC
