According to the National Institute of Health, over 65% of all Americans have a magnesium deficiency. That is a staggering statistic. Magnesium is another one of those trace minerals that plays a significant part in the health of your body. It is essential to good health, and is critical in over 350 biochemical reactions in your body including bone formation, relaxation of your muscles, energy production, muscle function, activation of calcium and B vitamins, and assists in the proper functioning of your organs, like your kidneys and your heart. Unfortunately, most Americans don't even know they have magnesium deficiency, and it doesn't become an awareness or get diagnosed unless a lack of magnesium gets your attention, causing a problem that cannot be ignored.
Ten years ago, out of the blue, I started to experience heart palpitations. If you've ever had these, you know what a scary feeling it can be to feel your heart fluttering and taking on its own rhythm. This will get your attention. To make a long story short, went to the doctor and she determined through analizing my diet of white bread and white rice, that my magnesium levels were probably well under the normal range. Seems that without the proper level of magnesium in your body, different systems are susceptible, including your heart rhythm. She prescribed a magnesium supplement, the heart palpitations disappeared in three days, and I haven't had them since.
Now, there's a long litany of possible magnesium deficiency symptoms including migraines, high blood pressure, asthma, depression, anxiety, muscle twitching, even sleeplessness. Yet without an accurate diagnosis of magnesium deficiency, these symptoms can be misinterpreted and treated with medications and surgeries that may not be necessary. Many of these symptoms could just be the result of poor dieting, and just not getting needed magnesium into the bloodstream. Fortunately, like heart palpitations, most magnesium related symptoms can be quickly rectified by simply increasing your levels of magnesium
How can taking common drugs be a factor in creating magnesium deficiency?
Common drugs can increase the demand on magnesium, causing an overall shortage of the trace mineral in your body. According to the Physician's Desk Reference, birth control pills, Digitalis, Cortisone, Tetracycline, common cardiac drugs and even insulin can help deplete levels of magnesium, causing magnesium deficiency. If you are taking any of these medications, you may want to consult with your doctor about your drugs impact on your magnesium level.
Ways you can easily prevent magnesium deficiency
According to the Livestrong Foundation, men should consume 420 mg daily and women should intake 320 mg daily. However, some doctors say the daily intake should be closer to 850 mg daily. Upping your magnesium intake is actually easy to do, either through taking a daily supplement or by eating the right foods. Magnesium benefits in supplemental form are fine, as long as it comes in a proven release form. Use some caution here, because there are some supplements that do not break down in your system, not doing you any good at all. Powder or liquid magnesium are good choices, because they are already in absorption form.
That being said, the 2010 edition of Dietary Guidelines for Americans states that nutrients should come primarily from foods. Foods rich in magnesium include nuts like cashews and almonds, pine nuts, whole wheat and buckwheat. Vegetables, especially leafy greens, are a good source, too. Chocolate is a great source of magnesium, so preventing magnesium deficiency will certainly have its upside!
Whichever way you get magnesium into your system, it's very important that your levels for this trace mineral are the right balance, to help all the systems of your body operate at their peak level. Like watching your pH levels, avoiding magnesium deficiency is an important and critical part of your health, and monitoring your magnesium level must be an important part of your overall wellness strategy.
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