Eighty percent of people in the U.S. have a magnesium deficiency. The soil in which we grow our food has deteriorated due to the popularity of single crop agricultural methods along with the heavy use of herbicides. In addition, the average American consumes high amounts of phosphorus found in fast foods, especially processed meats and soft drinks. Phosphorus binds with magnesium, preventing it from being absorbed.
Magnesium is needed for over 300 biochemical reactions in the body. It is critical for muscle contraction and nerve function. Other critical functions include cell growth and reproduction, DNA and RNA synthesis, formation of bones and teeth, proper bowel function, normal heart rhythms, and maintaining normal blood pressure and blood flow.
Many people with irregular heart beats (arrhythmia) only need to increase their magnesium intake to correct the problem. Instead, many doctors put these people on beta-blockers (high blood pressure drugs) and blood thinners. Blood thinners can cause internal bleeding and even death. I think I would rather take magnesium supplements. Magnesium also helps prevent the formation of kidney stones and their recurrence.
Below are 17 signs that you could be could be low in magnesium:
- Abdominal pain
- Anxiety & stress
- Constipation
- Cravings for sweets
- Dizziness
- Headaches
- Low blood sugar
- Irregular heart beat & racing heart
- Irritability
- Mental confusion and forgetfulness
- Muscle cramps and spasms
- Nerve pain
- Sadness and seasonal
- Sleep problems
- Tics and twitches
- Tight muscles
- Tremors
The following 20 conditions have been linked with low magnesium levels:
- Anxiety disorder
- Asthma
- Celiac disease (due to absorption problems)
- Circulatory disturbances
- Cluster headaches & migraines
- Cognitive decline (can lead to dementia or Alzheimer's)
- Chronic Fatigue
- Depression
- Diabetes
- Epilepsy
- Essential Tremor
- Fibromyalgia
- Heart arrhythmia
- Heart disease (low magnesium will increase risk of heart attacks)
- High blood pressure
- Insomnia
- IBS (irritable bowel syndrome)
- Kidney stones (taking calcium without magnesium)
- Osteoporosis
- Premenstrual syndrome
- Tinnitus
- TMJ
Foods with the highest magnesium levels include:
- Leafy greens (broccoli, kale, spinach, seaweed)
- Whole grains (barley, brown rice, buckwheat, whole grain spelt, millet, rye)
- Nuts and seeds (almonds, cashews, Brazil nuts, pecans, walnuts)
- Legumes (chickpeas, beans, lentils, peas, tofu)
