I think its safe to say that we all want to feel our best at all times. But more often than not, that is not the case, and it's time to take a good look into that...
Have you found yourself experiencing frequent headaches, and you just don't know why? Or maybe you're experiencing other pains / bodily aches, like leg cramps?
Do you having trouble sleeping?
Are you often craving chocolate?
Do you get bloating and cramps (before your period or during ovulation)? Mood swings or irratability?
If any of these symptoms resonate with you, then you are probably lacking in one essential mineral:
MAGNESIUM.
This one mineral can actually do a whole lot to our bodies. I personally started incorporating more magnesium into my diet to help with my bowel movements, and wow, it became my life savior in that regard.
But also, I find that it helps me sleep better, and my headaches are gone! I never get cramps. Not only that, it has helped with my chocolate cravings, which are another sign of magnesium deficiency.
I now literally cannot live without my Magnesium. It has so many amazing benefits, and yet so many people are deficient (as I was). Let’s just say there is a very good reason why many holistic doctors and practitioners are referring to Magnesium as the “miracle mineral”.
Now let's talk about those amazing benefits…
Magnesium is the most powerful relaxation mineral available - it balances the nervous system, and helps you sleep better. This same relaxing effect is primarily what helps cure occasional constipation, and release any tense, aching muscles. It also relaxes your blood vessels, easing headaches, migraines, and even stress!
Magnesium is also critical for cardiovascular health. It helps regulate blood pressure and supports cardiac and brain function. It’s actually the only mineral linked to all of today’s 4 scariest health conditions: cancer, stroke, diabetes and heart disease.
Are you unknowingly deficient in magnesium? Why?
Chances are, yes! Research indicates that as many as 80% of us are magnesium deficient.
Magnesium is a key “detox mineral” that is used in our bodies every minute to counteract stressors in our body, such as food intolerances, prescription drugs, and exposure to heavy metals including aluminum and mercury. It helps your body deal with both mental and physical stress. So as a result, this mineral is being used up faster than we are taking it in.
Apart from the daily STRESS that is using up this mineral, magnesium levels are also decreased by excess alcohol, salt, coffee, carbonated drinks, excessive menstruation, many medications (including pills for the heart, asthma, and the birth control pill), and intestinal parasites.
Needless to say, it’s VERY important to keep your magnesium levels high.
Here are a few steps to start incorporating into your daily life:
Eat lots of magnesium rich foods, which include:
dark leafy greens especially spinach, chard, kale
seaweed
lentils, chickpeas and beans
whole grains like quinoa and organic oats
most nuts and seeds, including pumpkin seeds, chia, flax and hemp, almond, cashews and peanuts
wild-caught fish like salmon and halibut
raw cacao and dark chocolate
For constipation, try MagCitrate or Natural Calm. Start with just 1 scoop (or 1 teaspoon) and work your way up, but cut back if you get loose stools.
For better sleep, try taking between 350 to 900mg of magnesium before bed. This can be in capsule form ( my top choice is Magnesium Glycinate complex), or also using Natural Calm. (Note: for women that menstruate, it can be beneficial to ramp up your dosage on the week before your period. Take as much as feels good without digestive upset/loose stools).
For aching muscles, joints, or overall increased benefits of detoxifying, take a bath with Epsom salts. Epsom salts are high in magnesium, and help you eliminate toxins while absorbing this mineral into your skin to relax any aches.
I get lots of questions about supplements, and my immediate answer is that your Step #1 should be cleaning up your diet, and nourishing yourself with more real, whole foods. However, it is often extremely helpful to complement our diets with certain supplements. (You can read more about the topic here).
In the case of magnesium, definitely start by Step 1 (increasing your magnesium rich foods), but honestly, I find that MOST people benefit from also taking a magnesium supplement. When doing both, you will VERY QUICKLY start to feel better (sleeping better, better bowel movements, better mood….). For women, getting enough magnesium is also key for hormonal balance. especially when going through transitions like menopause.
Here is more on magnesium supplements (which to to take, how much, etc.).
If this is you, I'd love to hear how it goes after applying these techniques. Are your pains gone? Reach out to me if you have questions or would like additional support. I’m always here to help get you closer to your healthy, happy and balanced life!
Love and Miracle Minerals,
Mariana