Let’s talk about Magnesium Deficiency!
Written By: Emily Crawford, Holistic Nurse Coach
Statistics reveal that 68-80 percent of Americans have a deficiency in magnesium, and some sources state up to more than 90 percent of people need more magnesium. Magnesium is a very important nutrient that the body needs, playing a role in more than 300 enzyme reactions in the body. Therefore, it is a very essential nutrient for health. Heart disease, insomnia, kidney disease, diabetes, anxiety, migraines and osteoporosis are just a few of more than 22 diseases and conditions that can be caused by low magnesium. The use of glyphosate or other herbicides in conventional farming is thought to be a leading cause of increasing magnesium deficiency in soils. Which leads to lower magnesium levels in food. Eating a diet rich in green leafy vegetables, nuts, and other magnesium rich foods is vital. Given there may be a lack of magnesium in foods, it’s important to consider that supplementation may be necessary.
Magnesium comes in many forms. A couple of popular ones include magnesium glycinate because of its great absorption and magnesium citrate in a drinkable powdered form for those suffering from constipation. Another way to take magnesium that is often underutilized is trans-dermally. Considering the skin is the body’s largest organ and is responsible for numerous functional processes. When supplements are taken by mouth, many functional processes must occur properly within the body to get the full benefit of the product. For this reason, using the transdermal method can be an easier and safer way of getting essential nutrients the body needs. If cold weather has activated arthritis, one can simply rub magnesium oil directly on the spot of pain. Doing so can provide pain relief and can also increase the body’s magnesium level to possibly help with other chronic diseases and conditions. One form of magnesium that has been gaining attention is Magnesium Threonate. Some companies call it neuro-mag as it does support brain function and is a form of magnesium that is said to cross into the blood, through the blood/brain barrier.
If you feel like you may have magnesium deficiency. We recommend you talk with your doctor. Request a lab draw to check your RBC, magnesium level. But also know that a deficiency may be occuring even before lab results show a deficiency. As the body does a wonderful job of pulling magnesium from other parts of the body to keep levels in the blood at an optimal level. With so many ways to take magnesium, it is easy to ensure that nutrient levels stay within a healthy range to help keep the body free of chronic illness.
