Magnesium deficiency is very common. In fact it is one of the most common nutrition deficiencies, with almost half of the people living in the U.S. are not getting enough magnesium in their food. We have seen that number stated at 80% in more than one place; and this mineral is required for over 300 body processes such as the breakdown of glucose into energy.
There are several ways where you can lose magnesium as well. Processed foods have magnesium removed and softening water can decrease magnesium. Also, certain diseases can affect magnesium adversely. Those diseases include chronic diarrhea, kidney problems, arteriosclerosis, and alcoholism. Last, prescription hormones, such as birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy, can cause a deficiency of magnesium by upsetting your body’s metabolism
The reason why I take a magnesium supplement is to help my nerves and muscles function well and not give me any pain. If you are on your feet all day and having any aches or pains maybe you need more magnesium. Working with others who wouldn’t be without their daily magnesium tablet (or two) I get to hear stories of how it has changed their lives in terms of feeling better, feeling ‘well’, and without pain. Many were referred by their doctors who now associate being low or magnesium deficiency with needing a supplement to get enough every day.
Even if you are striving to get the right nutrients from your diet, you could still be missing key ingredients from your food. Minerals do make a difference in your health, and if you can’t get them through your diet or something else is pulling them from your body, supplementing can be a good solution.
The amount you want to target per day is 400 mg of magnesium. This amount is essential for good bone building, and a time release formula lets your body get a steady stream throughout the day.
Magnesium along with calcium can help both your brain and body stay calm and relaxed. If you wake up frequently during the night, or have a hard time falling back to sleep, a magnesium supplement might help improve that. If one tablet earlier in the day is not enough, it can help to take a calcium and magnesium supplement about an hour before going to sleep.
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Depending if you are low or if you are deficient you might need different amounts of a magnesium supplement. What we learned through a doctor recommendation is the way you determine your limit is if what you are taking is causing any digestive issues. The benefits and results you get from a good quality magnesium supplement is worth your time testing what your sweet spot is.
Magnesium is one of those supplements where one little tablet and you can “feel” the difference pretty quick.
Benefits of Magnesium
- Better nerve function
- Proper muscle function
- Steady heart rhythm
- Help normalize blood pressure
Magnesium and High Blood Pressure or Heart Disease
Magnesium can help your heart health by helping to improve oxygen delivery to your heart, by helping to reduce vascular pressure, by helping to prevent blood clotting, and by helping to improve your heart rate.
Magnesium and PMS
If you have PMS symptoms magnesium can help you in a big way PMS. Abdominal bloating, breast pain, headaches, fatigue, fluid retention, mood swings, insomnia and anxiety are all symptoms of both low magnesium and pre menstrual syndrome.
Magnesium and Asthma
Magnesium helps relax the bronchial smooth muscle. Magnesium through an IV is used to treat some asthma attacks since it dilates the bronchial tube right away.
Raising low levels of magnesium in the body could help to manage asthma attacks.
Magnesium and Kidney Stones
Magnesium can help prevent calcium crystallizing in the kidneys which ban create kidney stones.
Magnesium and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Many patients with chronic fatigue have low red blood cell magnesium levels.
Other health challenges that may benefit from having optimal levels of magnesium are: anxiety, depression and hyperactivity.
Shaklee makes the magnesium supplement, VitalMag. As with all Shaklee products they are blends of ingredients. When you combine nutrients the way Shaklee does, through intense science, research and developement, each works better than they would on their own. It’s what sets Shaklee supplements apart from any other.
Boron is included in VitalMag to help your body utilize the magnesium better. Potassium is added for heart health. Also, three different salts of magnesium are included: oxide, gluconate, and citrate.
If you or low in magnesium or have magnesium deficiency, you can learn more about Shaklee’s magnesium supplement and the benefits of magnesium here: VitalMag.
The complete list of supplements we are discussing this month can be found at the bottom of this article: What Supplements Should I Take.