Are you nervous or anxious? Do you have poor digestion? Are you having trouble sleeping? You might be magnesium deficient!
Magnesium is essential for MORE than 300 biochemical reactions in the body. (1) It helps maintain normal nerve and muscle function, supports a healthy immune system, keeps the heartbeat steady, and helps bones remain strong. (2) Plus, it helps regulate blood glucose levels and aid in the production of energy and protein. (2) Yet, magnesium deficiency is often overlooked and rarely tested. Therefore, magnesium may be one of the most underutilized but most necessary supplements there is. The United States Food and Nutrition Board recommends a daily intake of 420 mg for men and 320 mg for women (1).
However, recent reports estimate that at least 60% of Americans do not consume the recommended daily amount of Mg2. (1) Many theories have originated on why there is such a deficiency. Certain authors have suggested that digestive disorders that lead to malabsorption of magnesium and other minerals in the gut play a role. (1) The increased toxic load our bodies face from the food we eat and the substances we drink make it difficult for our gut to function optimally. Furthermore, high rates of prescription medication and antibiotic use damage the digestive tract to the point that magnesium cannot be absorbed and properly utilized. As a result, a significant number of people are Mg2 deficient, which may comprise up to 60% of critically ill patients. (1) I find this figure particularly intriguing since magnesium can be found in leafy greens, dark chocolate, nuts, seeds, fish, beans, avocados, etc. If we were to look at the average American diet, we find a severe lack of healthy balance. This imbalance leads to not only magnesium deficiencies but other ones as well!
Over the last decade, Mg2 has been considered as a treatment for several major diseases, including preeclampsia, stroke, myocardial infarction, and asthma, in several large-scale clinical trials. (1,2) It can be a powerful tool in maintaining the proper nutrition of one’s body. Needless to say, we have seen many patients in our office benefit from its use. We use the brand Natural Calm which uses magnesium citrate. It is created with a proprietary blend of magnesium carbonate and citric acid. Once added to water, a chemical reaction binds the two together and creates ionic magnesium citrate. (3) Personally, this brand has worked the best for my patients and I because this certain type of magnesium is more bioavailable. This means your body can readily absorb it easier! (4) Health is a choice we make every day. Make sure you are always taking steps to better yours!
1. Baaij, J. H. F. De, J. G. J. Hoenderop, and R. J. M. Bindels. “Magnesium in Man: Implications for Health and Disease.” Physiological Reviews 95.1 (2014): 1-46.
2. Kim, Dae Jung, Pengcheng Xun, Kiang Liu, Catherine Loria, Kuninobu Yokota, David R. Jacobs, and Ka He. “Magnesium Intake in Relation to Systemic Inflammation, Insulin Resistance, and the Incidence of Diabetes.” Diabetes Care. American Diabetes Association, 01 Dec. 2010.
3. “NATURAL CALM FAQs.” Natural Vitality. 25 Jan. 2017.
4. Walker, A. F., and G. Marakis. “Mg Citrate Found More Bioavailable than Other Mg Preparations in a Randomised, Double-blind Study.” Magnes Res 2003. 16(3).
For Wellness,
Dr. Shannan McCormick