Could You Be Deficient in Magnesium?

Did you know that around 50% of the Western population do not get enough Magnesium from their diet? Much of this important nutrient is lost during food processing, and many foods simply do not contain as much magnesium as they did in previous decades, mainly due to modern farming methods.

A deficiency in Magnesium has been linked to several chronic health conditions, including Type 2 diabetes, migraine, and cardiovascular disease. Some people are more a risk of magnesium deficiency than others. Those with dysregulated blood sugar, the elderly and heavy drinkers are more likely to need to supplement with magnesium. High levels of stress have also been shown to deplete the body of magnesium and, as this important mineral is needed to reduce stress hormones, it is easy to see how the body would struggle to cope with chronic stress without enough magnesium in the diet.

There are numerous indicators for magnesium deficiency, including muscle cramps, insomnia, constipation, headaches and migraines and low stress tolerance. These are symptoms that many clients report regularly during their first consultation. Interestingly, fibromyalgia sufferers, when tested, are often found to have low levels of magnesium. Some of the symptoms of fibromyalgia are muscle and nerve pain, which are also symptoms of a magnesium deficiency.

Magnesium glycinate is an extremely bioavailable form of this essential mineral, and studies suggest that 400mg a day may be enough to support those who are deficient.

As with all magnesium its best taken in the evening, as it can have a stool loosening effect which, for some clients, is a great relief after years of suffering from long-term constipation!