The USDA recommends that we take in 240-420 mg of magnesium each day. The actual number depends on age, but sadly, most of us fall short of the minimum amount on a regular basis. Without sufficient magnesium, our bodies may be unable to absorb other essential nutrients such as calcium, and we suffer from a variety of symptoms, including:
- Muscle cramps
- Constipation
- Calcium deficiency
- Poor heart health
- Poor memory
- Insomnia
- Fibromyalgia
- Anxiety
- Fatigue
- High Blood Pressure
- Type II Diabetes
- Osteoporosis
- Migraines
The list goes on… Magnesium is an essential mineral. Without it, our bodies are not able to operate at optimal levels, as we fail to absorb other nutrients essential to our bodies’ overall function. If you suffer from any of the symptoms listed above, you may have a magnesium deficiency. Thankfully, there are some ways to safely supplement this mineral to ensure you’re taking in the right amount on a daily basis, and bring your body back into equilibrium.
How to Supplement Magnesium
- Take a Magnesium supplement. Sounds simple, and that’s because it is! Magnesium citrate is among the most readily absorbed forms of this nutrient, however, beware of taking too much at once. There is a certain threshold that your bowels can handle, and exceeding that threshold can lead to diarrhea and other gastrointestinal symptoms that’ll make you wish you had never taken it in the first place!
- Eat magnesium-rich foods. These include: seeds (pumpkin, sunflower, and sesame), spinach, black beans, squash, almonds, okra, cashews, and soybeans.
- Use a topical magnesium treatment. Magnesium chloride can be applied topically and absorbed into your skin, which is very porous and able to absorb just about anything it comes in contact with (another reason to limit your skin’s exposure to toxins). If you don’t want to take an oral supplement and don’t feel that your diet will suffice to solve a deficiency problem, this is a good alternative solution. Google “magnesium oil” to find a variety of topical solutions that you can use.
Chronic diseases are rampant in our society, and many of them result from a magnesium deficiency, which directly affects the gut by preventing the absorption of necessary nutrients into our bodies. If you think you might be at risk or are suffering from chronic illness, try supplementing your diet with the recommended daily amount of magnesium, and see what happens! We’re sure you’ll see a difference in your health and life.