Deficiency to Sufficiency – Magnesium
At the Functional Nutrition Alliance Clinic we tailor our recommendations to meet the unique needs and requirements of every client. Cookie cutter protocols, magic pills, and the diet of the day aren’t where we look when it comes to helping our clients reach their healing potential.
That’s because we know, as you likely do too, that one size never fits all.
And while we certainly don’t suggest that our clients take so many supplements that they require a suitcase to tote them, we do believe in the principles of bringing deficiencies to sufficiency.
Those deficiencies can be in digestive secretions (such as enzymes or acids), in psychological nourishment (like love or support), in hormones, immune factors and, of course, in key nutrients!
DEFICIENCY TO SUFFICIENCY: MAGNESIUM!
Magnesium is one of those nutrients that is deficient in a large portion of the population. And because of the ways we can measure magnesium, deficiencies can fly under the radar (“subclinical” and difficult to detect) while still yielding a biological impact.
According to a recent article published in the cardiology journal Open Heart, “because of chronic diseases, medications, decreases in food crop magnesium contents, and the availability of refined and processed foods, the vast majority of people in modern societies are at risk for magnesium deficiency.”
Let’s take a look at some top benefits of sufficient stores of this key mineral…
Magnesium helps relax nerves and muscles, that are tight, stiff or irritable. If you have restless leg syndrome, joint pain or difficulties falling asleep (ie. you’re wound a bit tight!), you’ll soon be referring to magnesium as the relaxation mineral!
If elimination is feeling evasive, adding in this supplement in the right form, and to meet your body’s needs (dosing to “bowel tolerance”) may help restore ease and efficiency for your morning constitutional.
And if you’re all about longevity and taking preventative measures to maintain optimal health, you’ll pay heed to the research that has indicated magnesium deficiency as an “upstream” driver in chronic health conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, osteoporosis and heart disease.
I’ve gone ahead and put the most important information about magnesium on one page making it easy to remember why magnesium might add some magic to your everyday.
(There’s no magic pill but magnesium might just make you feel like there is!).
From commonly asked questions to my favorite foods that are rich in magnesium, I’ve got you covered with this fun 411.
I’m betting that you’ll be happy to see that high-quality dark chocolate makes the list when it comes to magnesium mavericks.
Blend up a frozen version of our Superfood Hot Chocolate Elixir and sip your way into a relaxed state on this summer day!
Quick Health Advisory: If magnesium is new for you, and you’re deciding to add in a supplemental version, be sure to start low and go slow. It works well for most, but not everyone will find that magnesium is helpful or needed. If your elimination leans towards loose, you’ll want to be cautious with the type of magnesium you introduce and consider working with a Functional Medicine or Functional Nutrition practitioner to find the match that’s right for you.
