Why Magnesium Really is A Miracle Mineral

September 8, 2022
Ann Louise Gittleman, PhD, CNS

Ann Louise Gittleman, PhD, CNS

Award-winning nutritionist and New York Times bestselling author.

Did you know a staggering 80% of American adults are magnesium deficient?

When you consider that magnesium is responsible for over 300 biochemical reactions in your body, affecting bone health, immune function, metabolism and more, that’s a real problem.

If you recognize yourself on this list, you may be one of the millions of Americans not getting enough of this magnificent mineral.

8 Common signs of a magnesium deficiency

  1. You experience muscle cramps and spasms…
  2. You feel stressed, tense, or anxious…
  3. You suffer from headaches or migraines…
  4. You suffer from heart palpitations…
  5. You have low energy…
  6. You have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep…
  7. You have high blood pressure…
  8. You have weak or brittle bones…
I’ve been writing about this marvelous mineral for years now. As a self-proclaimed “Type A+” personality, I credit it with helping me stay calm and manage the stress that inevitably comes along with writing over 35 books! 

The list above addresses some of the more general symptoms magnesium can help improve, but I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the incredible heart and brain health benefits. I go into these in more depth in the blog articles featured below.

So, why are so many of us magnesium deficient?

That’s a good question, and there are several factors to consider. First, you have to take a look at our food and water supply. Modern-day farming methods often deplete the soil of minerals which means the plants we eat (and the animals fed from those plants) are lower in magnesium. Then, fluoride and chlorine, which are abundant in our water supply, bind to magnesium making our water low in this mineral, too. 

Next, we have to look at lifestyle. Stress is a huge culprit and can literally “drain” our bodies of magnesium. Also, consuming too much caffeine and sugar deplete our magnesium levels. In fact, the more sugar we eat, the more magnesium our bodies require to process it. (I’ll share the shocking stats on this a little later, so keep scrolling.)

How to improve your magnesium levels

Fortunately, there is good news! You can take action to boost your magnesium levels and have a big impact on your health, fast! In my experience, the right combination of magnesium-rich foods and high-quality magnesium supplementation is ideal for boosting low levels and getting back on track:
  1. Add more magnesium-rich foods into your diet. Some of the standouts include leafy greens, nuts and seeds like pumpkin seeds, almonds and cashews, buckwheat and dark chocolate.
  2. Soothe sore muscles and relax your mind and body in an epsom bath, or by applying a magnesium-rich lotion before bed.
  3. Supplement with targeted forms of magnesium to specifically address your needs. I break down the different types of magnesium in the articles below, and discuss which ones are better for certain parts of the body like your heart, brain, muscles, and more. I formulated Mag-Key with four different forms of magnesium for a wide range of benefits and recommend supplementing with at least 400 mg daily (and up to 5 mg per lb of body weight as tolerated). 
Featured Articles
The Benefits Of Magnesium Are Mandatory

The Benefits Of Magnesium Are Mandatory

The mineral that motivates every cell of your body. One of the minerals your body needs the most is likely one that you’re also deficient in. A typical human body contains approximately one to two...

Mad About Magnesium!

Mad About Magnesium!

Why Your Magnesium Supplement Isn't Measuring Up Magnesium is to minerals what vitamin D is to vitamins.  As the "master mineral" and superstar of over 300 key metabolic functions, it reigns supreme...

Radical Health Tip

For every molecule of sucrose (table sugar) you eat, it takes 28 molecules of magnesium to digest.

And, for every molecule of fructose (think high fructose corn syrup) you eat, it takes 54 molecules of magnesium! Yes, you read that right! As you can imagine, this alone can quickly lead to deficiency, and it’s merely one factor to consider.

To help prevent magnesium deficiency and all the symptoms that come with it, shore up your levels with at least 400 mg of full-spectrum magnesium daily. As a general rule of thumb, many individuals may be able to tolerate up to 5 mg per lb of body weight. I recommend Mag-Key which contains four targeted forms of magnesium, plus B-6 for optimum absorption and utilization.

Featured Video

The Marvels of Magnesium

I’ve been talking a lot about the marvels of magnesium this week, so it will come as no surprise that it’s my absolute favorite mineral! I recommend 400-800mg daily or up to 5mg per pound of body weight daily. And, remember that not all types of Magnesium are created equal.

Featured Product

Mag-Key

The only magnesium that gets my vote! 

Mag-Key is afull spectrum magnesium formula that contains not one but FOUR unique forms of magnesium:

  • Magnesium Glycinate can help ease stress and anxiety, irritability, and insomnia while improving mental calmness, relaxation, and concentration at the same time.
  • Magnesium Malate can help soothe sore muscles, cramps, and headaches.
  • Magnesium Taurinate supports healthy heart function.
  • Magnesium Orotate helps boost energy and endurance, and also protects your heart, nerves, and tissue.
  • Plus, vitamin B-6 which is critical for absorption and assimilation of magnesium.

Related Articles and Podcasts

Ann Louise Gittleman, PhD, CNS, is an award-winning New York Times bestselling author of more than thirty books including The Fat Flush Plan series and her latest book, Radical Metabolism. She’s been rewriting the rules of nutrition for more than 40 years and is internationally recognized as a pioneer in the field of diet, detox and women’s health issues. 

For a FREE daily dose of tips and strategies for maintaining healthy weight, conquering insomnia, and much more…check out my Radical Health Tips.

I’d like to meet and greet you on my Facebook groups, so won’t you check us out at the Radical Metabolism RevolutionFat Flush Nation, or my Inner Circle!

1 Comment

  1. Judy DeRosa

    My teacher RuthAnn Anderson introduced us many moons ago.
    I I nterested in the magnesium combo for extreme calf spasms.

    Reply

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