Mind, body & magnesium
Magnesium: The most powerful relaxation mineral available.
An estimated 70% of UK women are believed to be deficient in magnesium. Magnesium is the most important and essential mineral in the body because it performs a wide range of biological functions, such as activating muscles and nerves this in turn creates energy in the body by attaching adenosine triphosphate (ATP).
According to Dr Norman Shealy ‘Every known illness is associated with a magnesium deficiency’. Like water we need magnesium every day.
The recommended daily allowance is around 700mg. Remember that even organic soils are depleted of minerals. In addition, there are many ways in which Magnesium is lost from the body, e.g. alcohol, coffee, black tea, grains, soy, most pharmaceutical drugs and calcium supplements.
Warning Signs of Deficiency
Symptoms of an existing magnesium deficit may include:
- Muscle cramps and chronic pain
- Facial tics or muscle spasms
- Headaches
- Anxiety or hyperactivity
- Sleep problems
- Weakness
- Calcium deficiency
- Panic attacks
- Premenstrual irritability
- Heart palpitations
- Salt cravings
- Carbohydrate cravings and intolerance
- Confusion and fuzzy thinking
- Depression
- Low energy
- Poor digestion
A Few Benefits of magnesium:
- Better sleep- Melatonin levels are disturbed when magnesium is deficient. Magnesium is also know to balance and control stress hormones, as stress is a known cause of insomnia.
- Relaxation of the nervous system- as levels of serotonin are dependent on magnesium.
- More flexible- Magnesium helps to loosen tight muscles as without magnesium the muscles do not relax properly.
- Helps hydrate- Magnesium is essential for proper hydration.
A great source of magnesium are green leafy vegetables like spinach, nuts and seeds. Epsom salt baths can be a great way of increasing magnesium levels. Why not replace your coffee with nettle tea another good source of magnesium.
I make my own magnesium oil which I add to my drinking water and use transdermally too.
