Magnesium deficiency affects at least 68% of Americans according to the Journal of the American College of Nutrition. In other words, two out of three people you know are magnesium deficient. And the worst part is… most don’t even know it!
Magnesium has often been touted as the “miracle mineral” and is responsible for more than 300 biological functions in our bodies. It plays a key role in our overall health and is a powerful antidote to stress.
So what does that mean? Our bones, muscles, and brains must have adequate magnesium levels in order to fully function. If we have deficiencies, then our bodies are struggling to keep us going. This can lead to a number of health-related issues.
Many symptoms of a magnesium deficiency are common ailments for people and often shrugged off as just something we have to live with. If you have any symptoms in your body that seem out of the ordinary, take note- our bodies know what they need, we just have to be willing to seek out what that is.
10 Magnesium Deficiency Symptoms
1- Muscle Cramps and Twitches
2- Insomnia
3- Irritability or Anxiety
4- Constipation or IBS
5- Headaches and Migraines
6- Fibromyalgia
7- Asthma
8- Chronic Fatigue
9- Kidney Stones
10- High Blood Pressure
Causes of Magnesium Deficiency
Depleted Soil
Industrial agriculture practices have starved our soil of many needed minerals- especially Magnesium. If it’s not in the soil- then it’s not in our food.
Poor Gut Health
In order to properly absorb nutrients and minerals into our bodies, our gut’s have to be healthy. Overuse of alcohol, antibiotics, antacids, antidepressants, and even excess stress can cause major intestinal problems.
The FOOD!
The standard American diet (SAD) is highly processed and consists of mostly white flour, meat, and dairy- none of which contain magnesium.
How Can You Fix a Magnesium Deficiency
The most important thing you can do to begin to heal a Magnesium deficiency is to eat a diet rich in minerals and nutrients.
Some foods with the highest magnesium content include:
- Leafy Greens (Cooked Spinach)
- Pumpkin Seeds
- Almonds
- Brown Rice
- Flax Seed
- Sunflower Seeds
- Cashews
- Dark Chocolate
In some cases, a magnesium supplement is needed to bring levels up within a healthy range. Check with your health care provider if you think you need more support in healing your magnesium deficiency. And check out some of our favorite magnesium-rich recipes.
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