Magical Magnesium – ahhhhhhh! It feels so good to have enough magnesium because it is the “calming” mineral. Most Americans are deficient in this important mineral for three reasons:
- Modern agriculture depletes our soils of many vital minerals, including magnesium.
- A diet full of processed food doesn’t deliver the minerals we need, and sugar/sodas can leach these minerals out of our body.
- Stress also depletes magnesium levels.
Why do we need it?
We need magnesium for every organ in our body, but particularly for our heart, muscles, bones, and kidneys. Magnesium is essential for the absorption of calcium. So, you may be taking tons of calcium to protect your bones, but you have to have the magnesium for it to be properly absorbed.
What are symptoms of deficiency?
You may have insomnia (which is why it’s so important to make sure you are getting enough), muscle twitches, muscle spasms, and anxiety. If you are very stressed out, making sure you have adequate levels of magnesium will help calm you down.
Can I get it from food?
You can – and I recommend the following foods for making sure you get the very minimum you need: spinach, chard, pumpkin seeds, avocado, and bananas.
What about supplements?
Supplements may be the way to go if you suspect (or if your doctor suspects) you may be deficient. I personally love Natural Calm, a hot/fizzy drink, which I take before going to bed.
Can I apply it topically?
Yes, you can! Try my DIY Magnesium Spray, which will effectively top up your magnesium levels, as it’s easy to absorb it through your skin.
Can you have too much?
Your body regulates your levels, and it’s not dangerous to take too much (unless you are going over the recommended dose on the container) however, if you get loose stools, you’ll know you are at your limit because it is a laxative for some.
