Matters of the Heart
Without magnesium, your body could not digest, absorb, and utilize proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. And magnesium is essential for insulin to open cell membranes for glucose. Yet population studies on average magnesium intake show fewer and fewer US adults are getting the RDA of magnesium and only a relatively small percentage are getting enough magnesium daily to stay healthy. (1)
Why is magnesium one of the most important minerals?
Magnesium is critical in over 350 essential biochemical reactions in the body including digestion, energy production, muscle function, bone formation, the creation of new cells, activation of B vitamins, relaxation of muscles, and assists in the proper functioning of the heart, kidneys, adrenals, brain, and nervous system.
Magnesium can be found in human bones, teeth, and red blood cells, after oxygen, water, and basic food, and is possibly the most important element our bodies need regularly. (2)
Are You Magnesium Deficient?
Magnesium deficiency is often misdiagnosed because it does not show up in blood work – and actually — only 1% of the body’s magnesium is stored in the blood. Most allopathic doctors and laboratories don’t even include magnesium status in routine blood work, so they don’t know when their patients are deficient in magnesium, even though studies show that most Americans are deficient and pretty much every known illness can be associated with a magnesium deficiency. (3)
Magnesium is stored in our body tissues, so leg cramps, foot pain, or muscle ‘twitches’ are usually the first signs that you are deficient in. If you ignore the subtle stuff, some of the these more serious symptoms may develop:
- Low energy/fatigue
- Hormonal imbalances
- Insomnia
- Weakening of the bones
- Muscle tension
- Spasms and cramps
- Abnormal heart rhythm
- Headaches
- Anxiousness
- Nervousness
- Irritability
- Kidney stones
The Magnesium – Stress – Weight Connection
The connection between stress and obesity is clear. The stress chemical cortisol signals a metabolic shutdown that makes losing weight almost impossible. Our body feels “under attack” and begins to hold on to all its resources, including fat stores, and won’t let go of them. The good news is that magnesium can effectively neutralize the effects of stress. (4)
Magnesium and Metabolic Syndrome
Magnesium is necessary for proper metabolic functions in the body and without it, we could develop what is known as Metabolic Syndrome, a chain of consequences due to long-standing nutritional deficiency, especially magnesium deficiency. The long list includes high cholesterol, hypertension, and obesity. It also encompasses elevated triglycerides and elevated uric acid. (5) (6)
Magnesium and Depression
Studies show that magnesium is a safe, affordable, and effective treatment for the symptoms of depression. You may be familiar with serotonin, the body’s natural ‘feel-good’ brain chemical. Magnesium is a necessary element in the release and uptake of serotonin by our brain cells. With proper amounts of magnesium, sufficient “feel-good chemicals are created, and you experience emotional balance.
But when stress and other issues deplete magnesium, a vicious cycle of not enough serotonin is created that can lead to depression and anxiety disorders. (7) (8)
Magnesium Drainers
Here are a few tips to stop reducing your magnesium levels:
- Limit coffee, colas, salt, sugar, and alcohol
- Learn how to practice active relaxation
- If you are on prescription drugs, make sure your medication isn’t causing magnesium loss (many high blood pressure drugs or diuretics cause loss of magnesium)
1) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22364157/
2) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4586582/
3) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5637834/
4) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507250/
5) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4549665/
6) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17229895/
7) https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1179/1476830512Y.0000000044
8) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507265/
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