Magnesium is naturally mineral used for more than 300 biochemical reactions, making it crucial for health. Magnesium is almost as basic as water and air for healthy living. It is an anti-inflammatory mineral that offers protection from a host of illnesses and diseases. Magnesium is important for many systems in the body, especially the muscles and nerves. It keeps the heart beat steady, helps bones remain strong, supports a healthy immune system, helps regulate blood glucose levels etc...
Magnesium deficiency has been linked to metabolic problems, osteoporosis, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, colon cancer and many other diseases.
Common signs you’re deficient in magnesium
· Weakness
· Muscle cramps
· Anxiety
· Nausea
· Poor memory
· Confusion
· Respiratory issues
· High blood pressure
· Delayed recovery from exercise
· Sound and light sensitivity
· Calcium deficiency
· Type 2 diabetes
If you have this symptoms doesn’t mean it is all related to magnesium. But you should check it at your doctor. Until then you should ask do you get enough magnesium.
If you drink carbonated drinks on daily basis it is possible that you have lack of magnesium. This drinks contain phosphates that bind with magnesium inside the digestive tract and make magnesium unavailable to your body. Sweets are zero magnesium products. They cause the body to excrete magnesium through the kidney. So the more sweet foods you eat, the more likely you are magnesium deficient.
Drinking caffeinated drinks such as coffee, tea and soda increases the risk for magnesium deficiency. Levels of magnesium are controlled in large part by the kidneys, which filter and excrete excess magnesium and other minerals. So if you drink too much caffeinated beverages the kidneys release extra magnesium. This effect may also have some drugs used for heart disease, asthma disease or birth control pills.
Alcohol effect on magnesium levels in the body is same as diuretics. It increase the excretion of magnesium through the kidney, therefore it lowers magnesium available to the cells. Physical or emotional stress can be a cause of magnesium deficiency. If you have some of the symptoms and you use coffee, sweets, alcohol than you should check your magnesium status at the doctor.
How to get enough magnesium?
Magnesium is often not well absorbed at the digestive track. Most food are depleted of their natural magnesium levels and also the water supply is lacking. For many people with diseases and symptoms of magnesium deficiency, the crucial element of returning to good health is magnesium supplementation. There are three ways to supplement with magnesium. In a powder form, in ionic liquid form and transdermal form.
Do you need magnesium during pregnancy?
In pregnancy, magnesium helps build and repair your body’s tissues. A severe deficiency of magnesium during pregnancy can lead to preeclampsia, poor fetal growth and even infant mortality. Calcium and magnesium work together in combination. Calcium stimulates muscles to contract, while magnesium relaxes muscles. Proper levels of magnesium during pregnancy can help keep the uterus from contracting prematurely. Low magnesium levels may be linked to leg cramps, restless legs and fluid retention during pregnancy. Magnesium sulphate may be prescribed if a woman develops very high blood pressure during late pregnancy. Magnesium is also a mineral component passed to the baby through breast milk.