If there’s one remedy I could not survive in clinical practice without- it would be my beloved magnesium!
Magnesium is a mineral with a plethora of roles in the human body; it activates more than 300 enzymes and body chemicals, and is involved in many cell processes making it useful in supporting a wide variety of conditions and symptoms.
- Energy production: magnesium helps metabolise carbohydrates and fats to produce energy, and is also required to create more mitochondria (energy-producing powerhouses found in every cell) and support mitochondria function.
- Bone health: Magnesium supports the conversion of Vitamin D into its active form, and helps to regulate calcium and draws it into our bones and teeth. Magnesium has been linked to increased bone density and helps to prevent the onset of osteoporosis.
- Stress support: Stress can actually increase magnesium loss through the urine, so supplementation is beneficial in combatting stress. Magnesium has earned the nickname ‘nature’s Valium’, for it’s ability to increase calming neurotransmitters like GABA and calm down a body that is switched onto ‘fight or flight’ mode.
- Pain reduction: If you are experiencing muscle pains, cramps, spasms, a flickering eyelid or restless legs, it could be a sign your body needs magnesium. Magnesium supplementation has also been found to reduce menstrual pain and cramping, tension headaches, migraines and neuropathic pain.
- Sweet dreams: Magnesium is often a go-to when addressing insomnia, wakeful sleep or sleep onset issues. Magnesium may help to rebalance the circadian rhythm and aid the body to adapt to progression from day to night.
Increase Magnesium in your diet!
Loving the sound of magnesium? Keep an eye on your dietary magnesium intake and try to incorporate the following into your diet:
- 30 grams (roughly 2 tablespoons) of pumpkin seeds yields 156mg
- 30g chia seeds (111mg)
- Half a cup of boiled spinach (78mg)
- 1 cup of soy milk (61mg)
- 30g of almonds (80mg)
- Half a cup of cooked brown rice (42mg)
- 30g which is about 1 serve of dark chocolate (64mg)
- 1 medium sized avocado (58mg)
- 100g of tofu (53mg)
Stock up in-store!
We also stock a range of magnesium supplements in-store including our shelf-available Herbs of Gold Magnesium Forte, and many from Ethical Nutrients including a fabulous ‘Night’ Magnesium with the added benefit of the beautiful sleep-inducing herb called Passionflower. There are also practitioner-only magnesium powders from Metagenics & Bioceuticals available through our in-house naturopathic dispensary.
By Phoebe Ackland, Naturopath.
Website: www.phoebeacklandnaturopath.com.au
Instagram: @phoebeackland_naturopath
