Magnesium 101 - Your Most Vital Nutrient
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Your Body Depends on Magnesium.
Magnesium is an incredibly important element for the human body, playing vital roles in every major bodily system and function - and not only for humans, but for practically all biological life on the planet. THAT's how important it is. In fact, if we're going to be specific, magnesium played a CENTRAL role in the development of advanced cellular life on earth!
That's why every single organ and tissue in your body – from your heart and brain to your muscles, skin, digestion, DNA and more – needs magnesium in order to properly function. In fact, magnesium is second only to water and oxygen when it comes to the essential elements that your body needs. And when you don’t get enough of it, your health can suffer in a number of ways. Magnesium is by far the most important and vital nutrient for human health.
Magnesium Deficiency
Magnesium deficiency is a serious issue that affects the vast majority of people in today's world. The reason it impacts 9 out of every 10 people is because of several factors.
Firstly, environmental stress has become rampant in our world, and the organs responsible for responding to this stress tend to use up magnesium in order to function properly.
Secondly, modern farming practices have resulted in an inadequate supply of magnesium in food sources.
Finally, standard blood tests for magnesium may not be entirely accurate and the more reliable tests may not be as easily accessible. We'll dive deeper into these issues in later posts in this series.
Symptoms of Magnesium Deficiency
When it comes to magnesium and its role in human health, deficiency can result in a wide range of negative symptoms which can be experienced in any part of the body. The reason why, is precisely because every part of the body needs magnesium for it's own unique functions.
In mild cases, deficiency may cause muscular cramps and pains, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, insomnia and irritability. However, for those who are severely deficient for an extended period of time, symptoms can include numbness or tingling in the extremities, confusion and even seizures.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is important to take the right steps to assess your degree of deficiency and make the necessary changes to replenish your body's magnesium levels.
How to Restore Your Magnesium
Effectively restoring your magnesium back to healthy levels is best achieved with a multidimensional approach with three key components.
The first step in restoring and maintaining healthy magnesium levels is to reduce exposure to psychological, environmental, and physical stress. Luckily, there are many ways to do this such as practicing relaxation techniques like yoga or meditation, taking time for yourself to relax and practice self-care, avoiding stressful situations when possible, and finding a healthy outlet for your emotions. Other forms of stress you may not be aware of will also be covered later in this series.
The second step is to make sure that you are eating the right foods to get your magnesium levels back on track. Eating a healthy, balanced diet full of the right kinds of magnesium sources including dark chocolate (it's true!) is key. Supplementing with magnesium is also an option if needed. You should always speak to your doctor before starting any new supplement.
Finally, you can measure the progress of restoring your magnesium levels by testing your magnesium levels. However this is not as simple as other health diagnostic tests because of magnesium's intricate role in the body, and how the body's regulation of magnesium can lead to misleading blood test results. We'll dive deeper into the different and best kinds of magnesium tests in this article.
By taking a multi-faceted approach to magnesium restoration and maintenance, you can restore your magnesium levels safely and healthily and give your body the best chances at achieving optimal health.
