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Are you getting enough magnesium?

Did you know that 10-20% of the world’s population is affected by magnesium deficiency?1https://www.cerascreen.co.uk/blogs/health-portal/magnesium-deficiency-symptoms This crucial mineral2https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/what-you-should-know-about-magnesium23https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/magnesium-supplements has over 600 bodily functions4https://beelinehealthcare.com/magnesium-benefits/#:~:text=Magnesium%20acts%20as%20an%20essential,bones%2C%20soft%20tissue%20and%20blood. and is the fourth-most abundant mineral found in the human body.5https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/magnesium-supplements6https://www.metabolics.com/blog/the-definitive-guide-to-magnesium-and-magnesium-supplements But, most people are not getting enough! On top of this, stress uses up magnesium stores in the body, causing further insufficiency.

Magnesium deficiency can be a significant contributor to low-grade inflammation, which is associated with serious conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.7https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6060686/8https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5783146/

What are the symptoms of magnesium deficiency?

The following symptoms may indicate a magnesium deficiency. Consider booking a blood test with your GP if you are experiencing:

  • Fatigue
  • Muscle weakness
  • Vomiting
  • Decreased appetite
  • Nausea, difficulty thinking clearly
  • Muscle cramps or twitches
  • Mental disorders
  • Migraines
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Abnormal heart rhythms

Why is magnesium so important?


Who’s most likely to have a magnesium deficiency?

Serious magnesium deficiencies are rare, but some groups of people are more prone to it than others. This includes anyone with Crohn’s disease, kidney disease, parathyroid issues, taking certain diabetes or cancer drugs, using proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), excess alcohol consumption, as well as older adults.31https://www.webmd.com/diet/supplement-guide-magnesium If you are working with any of these conditions, you should speak to your healthcare provider about checking your magnesium levels.

So, what can you eat to boost magnesium?

Several gut-healthy food sources of magnesium are easily accessible including whole grains, green leafy vegetables such as spinach, fish, nuts, seeds, legumes, milk, Chuckling Goat Kefir, and yoghurt.32https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/what-you-should-know-about-magnesium233https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/magnesium-supplements34https://www.webmd.com/diet/supplement-guide-magnesium35https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/expert-answers/magnesium-supplements/faq-20466270

Further supplementing with magnesium can help with a long list of common ailments such as trouble sleeping, muscle tension, spasms, anxiety, stress, twitching, cramps, and low energy. Due to magnesium’s calming effect on the brain and sleep, it has been given several nicknames such as “nature’s valium”, “the original chill pill”, and “nature’s tranquiliser”.

For information on how to lower inflammation around the body, check out Love your gut – with the anti-inflammatory diet!

Feel free to get in touch with our Nutritional Therapists via live chat 8am to 8pm on weekdays to have your questions answered!

References

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