Magnesium is a mineral found in the sea, earth, plants and animals and has many vital roles in the human body. It helps plants with photosynthesis and acts as a metabolic reaction in animals. In our body the majority of magnesium is found in our bones approximately 60% and the remaining amounts are found in muscles, soft tissues and small amounts in fluids. Every cell in your body contains magnesium and needs it to function which makes magnesium a vital mineral we cannot live without. We require this mineral to function in an optimal manner…via our nerve system.
We call magnesium the “miracle mineral” because it’s one of the minerals you should attempt to consume sufficient amounts of on a regular basis. Why? Because it plays several vital roles like the transmission of nerve impulses, the formation of bones and teeth, muscle contraction, and the activation of about 300+ enzymes! This is a busy mineral!! However, when your body does not get the vitamins and minerals it needs it will often create warning signs which become known to you in the form of symptoms. This may take a couple of days or occur insidiously over many years, however if you choose to ignore these warning signs than you run the risk of creating a more serious health challenge.
What are
the common signs of Magnesium Deficiency?
They are a variety of health challenges that you could create if you do not take
in enough magnesium each day. Things like:
- nutrient deficiencies, including vitamin K, vitamin B1, calcium and potassium
- restless leg syndrome
- heightened PMS symptoms
- irritability, depression, bipolar and mood swings
- insomnia and trouble sleeping
- osteoporosis
- chronic fatigue and weakness
- muscle spasm, tremors, restlessness and cramps
- kidney and liver damage
- tooth cavities
- impotence
- eclampsia and preeclampsia
- hypertension (high blood pressure) and cardiovascular disease
- migraines and noise sensitivity
How much Magnesium do you need each day and where do you get it from?
According to the National Research Council and the NIH individuals need the following:
- Infants–6 months: 30 milligrams
- 7–12 months: 75 milligrams
- 1–3 years: 80 milligrams
- 4–8 years: 130 milligrams
- 9–13 years: 240 milligrams
- 14–18 years: 410 milligrams for men; 360 milligrams for women
- 19–30 years: 400 milligrams for men; 310 milligrams for women
- Adults 31 years and older: 420 milligrams for men; 320 milligrams for women
- Pregnant women: 350–360 milligrams
- Women who are breastfeeding: 310–320 milligrams
Statistics show that many individuals do not take the recommended amounts of magnesium and testing for magnesium deficiency is hard because most of your magnesium is not found in the blood. Magnesium from food choices is most commonly found in dark leafy greens like spinach, beans, avocado, pumpkin seeds, black beans, nuts such as almonds, bananas, dark chocolate, legumes and seeds, potatoes and broccoli. While it’s best to get as much of this mineral as you can from natural magnesium-rich food sources, specific magnesium supplementation may also be required especially for people under stress (well that is just about everyone, kids included!), older adults, athletes and of course those who do not eat in a healthy way.
What are the benefits of Magnesium?
- Calms nerves and anxiety
- Aids in sleep and with insomnia
- Helps with focus and concentration
- Relaxes muscles
- Increases energy
- Helps with digestion and constipation
- Essential in growth and development
- Important for health
- Regulates calcium, potassium and sodium
In our article on Why Colloidal Minerals are so important for your health and Zinc and the common cold I spoke about farming practices, our stance on supplements and the lack of vital minerals in our foods. If it’s not in the soil then it’s not in your food! And most of you know that we are not into over-the-counter type supplements nor those that are prescribe. Our sources are all from nature. We researched for over two years before we decided to bring out our own magnesium because most of what we found did not have the level of magnesium we wanted or had hidden preservatives. Yikes! Our Vital Foods All Natural Liquid Magnesium is one of the only ones on the market that you can ingest AND use topically so that means you can pop it straight on your skin (a slight tingle is normal), pop it in when making a salad dressing, use it as a salt substitute in baking or cooking, and pop it in the morning smoothie or juice and don’t forget our awesome spritzer drink too! As a family we haven’t looked back since we went all in to create our own All Natural Liquid Magnesium we love it and have certainly noticed the benefits an know you will love it to!
