Magnesium is one of the most important minerals in our body, however it’s also one of the most common mineral deficiencies in our society. As with most minerals, it’s important that you’re getting enough magnesium in your diet (or supplementing it in if not) to ensure optimal body function. Magnesium is a cofactor for over 300 different enzymes needed for proper function of your heart, skeletal muscles and bones, as well as your nervous, cardiovascular and digestive systems. It helps to regulate blood sugar, maintain normal blood pressure, and keep your bones strong, and can also help to relieve anxiety, restless sleep, and is crucial to our body’s cell health—as it allows ATP (the primary energy currency of our cells) to move around our body with ease.
How will you know if you’re magnesium deficient?
Some signs of magnesium deficiency are: Anxiety, insomnia, high blood pressure, muscle cramping, weakness, tremors, headaches, restless leg syndrome, and irregular heartbeat.
A couple of factors that could lead you to become deficient include: Stress, Kidney disease, malabsorption disorders, chronic diarrhea, and alcoholism.
If you suspect or know that you’re magnesium deficient, there are a number of great food sources of the mineral. Including:
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- Nuts
- Seeds, especially pumpkin seeds
- Legumes
- Leafy greens, like kale
- Chocolate, I recommend homemade (see my recipe for healthy chocolate!)
- Whole grains, particularly oats
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Supplementing is also a viable option if you are currently suffering from a magnesium deficiency, or just want to make sure that you’re getting enough of the mineral in your diet. If you are new to the idea of supplementing or have questions about it, I highly encourage you to read this post. If you have any questions about magnesium deficiency, or another other mineral deficiencies, please feel free to shoot me an email (admin@balancemotion.com) or leave a comment on this post. I would be happy to answer any questions you may have. A happy and healthy body, is a mineral rich body 🙂
Cheers!
Nicole
