This month I wanted to focus on a mineral that is like gold to our bodies. Many people do not get enough of this super important nutrient. It is so important for us, it plays a role in over 300 reactions in the human body. A deficiency in magnesium has a huge impact on our bodies ability to function optimally. Magnesium is essential for:
Promoting sleep,
Thyroid function
Energy production from the food we eat,
Healthy DNA,
Blood Sugar Balance,
Helps to promote a calm nervous system,
Formation of healthy bones
Blood pressure regulation
It is an electrolyte along with potassium, sodium and calcium.
And much much more
Magnesium deficiencies are very common in our modern times. Deficiencies occur due to chronic diseases, medication use, processed foods, excessive alcohol intake, stress and magnesium deficient soils and magnesium deficient water. Symptoms of low Magnesium:
Loss of appetite
Abnormal heart rhythms
Numbness or tingling
Fatigue
Low mood
Anxiety
Eye tics
Insomnia
High blood pressure
Muscle cramps
Inability to deal with stress
If you are showing any signs or symptoms of magnesium deficiency then a great idea would be to start prioritising magnesium rich foods into your day. Poor gut health can have a huge impact on your ability to use magnesium and therefore focusing on great gut health is also vital to prevent magnesium and other nutrient deficiencies. Here are some great food sources of magnesium:
Green leafy vegetables (e.g spinach, kale, collard greens, turnip greens)
Nuts and seeds (almonds, cashews, pumpkin seeds)
Avocadoes
Vegetables (peas, broccoli, cabbage, green beans, artichokes, asparagus, brussel sprouts)
Seafood (salmon, mackerel, tuna)
Dark Chocolate (due to the Cacao)
Spirulina powder
It can be difficult to get enough magnesium in your diet alone and therefore supplementation might be a good idea especially if you are showing any symptoms of deficiency or are experiencing problems with your gut health.
Aim to have two servings of vegetables at every meal. Reduce sugar, alcohol and processed foods as these along with stress deplete Magnesium levels in the body
Incorporating magnesium rich meals, such as this recipe is a great step towards getting enough of this gold mineral, as well as many other essential nutrients.