Why Magnesium Can Be Helpful in Your Diet

Why Magnesium?

Are you often irritable or anxious?  Do you have low energy throughout the day?  Do you have difficulty relaxing at night so you can get to sleep?  Do you have problems with cramping during exercise or at bedtime?  All of these can be symptoms of magnesium deficiency.  According to some studies as many as 3 out of 4 people are deficient in magnesium.  Magnesium is a key nutrient in over 300 chemical and enzyme reactions in the body including processes involved in energy production, blood sugar levels, blood pressure regulation, muscular relaxation, bone health, and many more.

Lack of Magnesium in the Diet

Many Americans don't include enough foods in their diet that are high in magnesium such as seaweeds, brown rice, and dark green leafy vegetables and cooking and processing depletes magnesium, even from foods that are high in magnesium.  Alcohol, coffee, sugar, and high protein in the diet can also be responsible for diminished magnesium levels in the body.  Even before we consider the way these factors deplete magnesium, we need to take into account the way we have depleted magnesium in the soil.  Magnesium levels in foods are dependent upon its presence in the soil.  When plants have used up all the magnesium in the soil, unless it is replaced, there is none for the next crop.  So magnesium-rich foods may not be grown under optimal conditions making it harder to get all the magnesium we need from our food.  That's where supplementing with magnesium can help.

Supplementing with Magnesium

Magnesium intake is best spread out during the day rather than taken in a large dose at one time.  This is because too much magnesium can overwhelm the intestines and cause a laxative effect.  Plus you need to replace magnesium throughout the day as it is being used up in metabolic processes.  But don't worry, that doesn't mean needing to pop pills all day.  Magnesium supplements are also available in convenient, easy to take powder and liquid forms.  Magnesium powder dissolves almost immediately in water, so your body doesn't have to wait for a capsule or tablet to break down.  You can also add it to a glass or bottle of water and sip on it over several hours.  That way the magnesium is absorbed slowly and effectively into your body instead of running through your intestines.  Remember, don't get so excited about taking magnesium that you forget to slowly build up your dose over time.  Taking too much magnesium initially might create a laxative effect, giving you the mistaken impression that you are having a bad reaction to the magnesium.  To prevent this, it's important to start with a lower dose, (100 mg to 200 mg,) and build up to 400 mg once or twice a day until your bowel movements are comfortably loose but not too watery.

Disclaimer:  These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.  This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.