Mineral Deficiency and Your Health
Mineral deficiencies are an underlying cause of many health concerns Americans experience on a daily basis. A deficiency of a mineral can cause a hormone imbalance, chronic fatigue, mood disorders, insomnia, bone loss, sugar cravings and so much more. When we examine minerals as a whole, there is one deficiency which stands out more than others. It is the deficiency of Magnesium (Mg).
The Many Needs of Magnesium
There are at least 600 magnesium-dependent enzymatic reactions that have been identified. That being the case, we understand that magnesium is essential to almost all of the body’s major biochemical and cellular metabolic processes. But just what are some of these processes? They include; heart rate control, muscle contractions, protein synthesis, energy formation from glucose, energy formation from fats, immune defenses, nerve conduction, regulation of blood sugar, and regulation of blood pressure.
This should behoove us to pay more attention to making sure we have enough magnesium in our bodies. The more magnesium we have in our system, the more capable our bodies are of running effectively and giving us the energy we need to reclaim our health.
How Deficient are We?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (USDA) recommends that adults have a daily intake of 420 mg of magnesium. Unfortunately, as much as 75% of the U.S. adult population is deficient according to the World Health Organization (WHO) statistics.
Common Symptoms of Magnesium Deficiency
There are several common symptoms that we need to be aware of when it comes to magnesium deficiency. It can be challenging at times to pinpoint these issues. Often, we find ourselves searching for other causes when all the while, magnesium deficiency may be the sole culprit of our health concern. What are some of the symptoms associated with a lack of magnesium in your body? These symptoms include; loss of appetite, fatigue, muscle issues (cramps, spasms, and weakness), insomnia, hyper-excitability, irritability, confusion, and poor memory to name a few. More severe symptoms of magnesium deficiency include: tingling or numbness, heart changes, rapid heartbeat, continued muscle contractions, nausea, vomiting, personality changes, delirium, hallucinations, low calcium levels, and low circulating levels of Parathyroid Hormone (PTH).
Natural Solutions to Increase Magnesium Intake
Now that we see the health risks associated with magnesium deficiency; what can we do to get more of this beneficial mineral? First and foremost, cut back significantly or eliminate processed foods since magnesium is used to process simple sugars. In addition to removing processed foods, eat more foods that contain higher levels of magnesium using the list below.
Leafy Green Vegetables
There are several leafy green vegetables that contain significant amounts of magnesium which include; collard greens, swiss chard, watercress, collard greens, and spinach. Coincidentally, spinach contains 39% of our recommended daily intake.
Nuts and Seeds
Add a variety nuts and seeds which contain a decent dietary amount of magnesium. Some of these include pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, almonds, and quinoa.
Whole Grains
Eating whole grains is also beneficial. Whole grains with essential amounts of magnesium include amaranth, teff, buckwheat, wild rice, oat bran, bulgar, wheat germ, rye flour.
Legumes
Beans or legumes, including lentils, peanuts, soybeans, beans, and peas, are a good source of magnesium. The National Institutes of Health Office (NIH) stated that one-half cup of soybeans contains 75 mg of magnesium. One oz. of dry roasted peanuts contains 50 mg of magnesium. One-half cup of cooked lentils contributes 35 mg of magnesium toward your daily intake.
The more of these foods we consume, the better we contribute to our overall health!
Supplements
When it comes to agricultural practices, the use of certain fertilizers and crop rotations are contributing to less magnesium being present and mineral deficiencies in the soil. This has a detrimental effect on certain crops. While we do the best we can to eat balanced and nutritious food; often it is not enough. This increases the need to supplement with an effective clinical-grade magnesium supplement. Aceva’s Triple Mag has been formulated to meet the needs of balancing magnesium deficiency.
By balancing your dietary consumption, eating a variety of magnesium-rich foods, and supplementing when necessary; you can increase your overall health and well-being!
______________________________________________________________
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Information in this article is not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any disease. Always consult your health care practitioner before taking any dietary supplements