Do you have diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or heart disease?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, you might have a magnesium deficiency. The truth is that an estimated 50 to 80 percent of Americans have a magnesium deficiency, but most of them are not aware that they have a problem. So, how do you know that you have a magnesium deficiency?
The U.S. RDA recommends women get 320 milligrams of magnesium daily and that men get 420 milligrams daily. However, most men and women across the board are only getting half of what they are supposed to, as the overall magnesium intake has dropped drastically in recent years.
Why are Magnesium Deficiencies so Prevalent Today?
There are two main reasons for this epidemic. The first problem is with the foods that are readily available and consumed by most people. These foods are processed, high in sugar, and deplete the levels of magnesium in your body because your body uses magnesium to detoxify the body from these harmful substances.
The other problem is that the magnesium that does come from healthy fruits and vegetables is less than what it was in previous years. This is because the quality of soil has been greatly diminished over the years, which means that plants aren’t able to absorb as much magnesium now. This prevents your body from being able to get the proper amount of magnesium that it needs.
Why Hasn’t Your Doctor Noticed?
Even if you regularly have blood work done, it is extremely difficult for doctors to notice that you have a magnesium deficiency. This is because of all the magnesium in your body, only 1% can be found in your blood, so deficiencies don’t show up very clearly in blood work. Most of the magnesium in your body is stored in your bones and muscles.
Why is Magnesium So Important?
There are over 400 biochemical reactions that happen in your body which require magnesium to work. That includes regulating electrical impulses, nerve and muscle function, brain function, and heart function. Because of how magnesium works in the body, some of the common symptoms include hypertension, heart arrhythmias, high cholesterol, diabetes, fibromyalgia, metabolic syndrome, migraines, muscle aches and twitches, and asthma spasms.
How to Avoid Magnesium Deficiencies?
The first step is to avoid depleting the magnesium in your body by eliminating or severely limiting your intake of processed foods, sugar, coffee, and alcohol. If you are taking prescription medications, be sure to ask your doctor about whether or not they might deplete your body’s magnesium supply. You also want to make sure that you are getting plenty of fluids, particularly those that contain electrolytes, and particularly when you are losing them through sweating, diarrhea, or vomiting.
The next thing you want to do is to make sure that your body is getting more magnesium coming in. That means finding magnesium supplements, taking Epsom salt baths, or using a magnesium oil spray. Epsom salt baths and magnesium oil sprays are both great ways for your body to easily absorb the magnesium that you need to keep your body running smooth.
Use A Supplement To Get Your RDA Up To 320-420 Mg Per Day. Magnesium is best absorbed when taken with calcium, which is often combined by manufacturers. Also, the most absorbable forms are magnesium citrate, magnesium glycinate taurate, or magnesium aspartate. The laxative effect caused by some magnesium forms can be avoided if using magnesium glycinate.
It is safe to say that most people would benefit by adding magnesium to their lives and it may be discovered to be the missing link to some common but inexplicable ailments. Pay attention to your symptoms and up your magnesium intake, then begin to notice how your health and energy improves.
Note: People with kidney disease or heart disease should take magnesium only under a doctor’s supervision.
