The Journal of Intensive Care Medicine published a study which showed that magnesium deficiency doubles the chances of death, and causes numerous diseases and health issues.
Even though it can be used as a preventative measure, more than half of the population in the United States lacks it. Magnesium is the most powerful relaxation mineral, it improves sleep, and is an antidote to stress.
Doctors use magnesium all the time, and not many are aware of the reason for it. This critical “medication” is given in the case of a life-threatening arrhythmia intravenously, and in the case of constipation or a preparation for a colonoscopy, patients receive milk of magnesia or a green bottle of liquid magnesium citrate.
Moreover, continuous high doses of intravenous magnesium are given to pregnant women who come in with pre-term labor, or high blood pressure of pregnancy (pre-eclampsia) or seizures.
Magnesium relaxes, so every single sign of irritation, tightness, stiffness, and cramps in the body is actually a sign of its deficiency.
Magnesium is responsible for more than 300 enzyme reactions and is found in all body tissues, yet, mainly in the brain, bones, and muscles. Therefore, it is needed for muscle relaxation, energy, membrane stability, and the function of many chemical pumps.
Magnesium deficiency is common and causes numerous health conditions. Yet, it is still being ignored, and numerous people lack it.
If you experience any of the following symptoms, you might be one of them:
- Asthma
- Anal spasms
- ADD
- Autism
- Anxiety
- Angina
- Chronic fatigue
- Constipation
- Diabetes
- Fibromyalgia
- Headaches
- High blood pressure
- Irritable bladder
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Insomnia
- Irritability
- Kidney stones
- Migraines
- Muscle cramps or twitches
- Menstrual cramps
- Obesity
- Osteoporosis
- PMS
- Palpitations
- Reflux
- Sensitivity to loud noises
- Trouble swallowing
The deficiency of this mineral has also been found to cause inflammation in the body and higher CRP levels.
These days, numerous people are magnesium deficient, as even 65 percent of people admitted to the intensive care unit, and 15 percent of the general population, suffer from it.
The main reason for this is the modern diet which lacks magnesium, and it is high in refined, highly processed foods, meaning that it is based mostly on white flour, meat, and dairy. On the other hand, we rarely consume beans, nuts, greens, and sea vegetables.
Plus, the levels of magnesium in the body are lowered due to antibiotic use, diuretics (water pills), excess alcohol, salt, coffee, phosphoric acid in colas, prolonged or intense stress, chronic diarrhea, profuse sweating, excessive menstruation, and some intestinal parasites. A study conducted in Kosovo showed that people under chronic war stress lost high amounts of magnesium in their urine.
Furthermore, this mineral is often poorly absorbed and easily lost from our bodies, so it needs vitamin D, B6, and selenium, to help its absorption.
The conclusion of a recent scientific review of magnesium is that “It is highly regrettable that the deficiency of such an inexpensive, low-toxicity nutrient results in diseases that cause incalculable suffering and expense throughout the world.”
Fortunately, magnesium deficiency is easy to correct, and this is how:
- Avoid medications which lead to magnesium loss, such as diuretics and high blood pressure drugs
- Limit the intake of coffee, colas, salt, sugar, and alcohol
- Practice active relaxation
- Consume foods rich in magnesium, such as parsley, figs, garlic, almonds, soy beans, dulse, millet, rye, avocado, kelp, wheat bran, wheat germ, cashews, buckwheat, Brazil nuts, filberts, pecans, walnuts, tofu, rice, dates, collard greens, shrimp, barley, dandelion and greens.
- Enjoy an Epsom salts bath (magnesium sulfate)
- Take magnesium supplements
In the case of most minerals, it is best to take them in a combination with other minerals.
The best forms you can take include glycinate taurate, or aspartate, magnesium citrate, as well as magnesium bound to Kreb cycle chelates (malate, succinate, fumarate). On the other hand, avoid magnesium carbonate, sulfate, gluconate, and oxide, as they are poorly absorbed.
The RDA (the minimum amount needed) for magnesium is about 300 mg daily, and most people get less than 200 mg. Still, most people benefit from 400 to 1,000 mg daily.
Note that if you are suffering from a kidney disease or severe heart disease, you should consult your doctor before taking magnesium.
Magnesium is a real relaxation miracle, so if you experience any f the symptoms listed above, make sure you optimize its levels in your body and thus ensure your optimal health.
Sources:
www.organicandhealthy.org