Magnesium- The relaxing mineral
Magnesium is a mineral that is needed in over 300 enzymes in our body. A body that lacks magnesium may struggle to work efficiently as muscle, bone, teeth and energy production all depend on this mineral to function. Magnesium also contributes to a healthy nervous system and has been shown to reduce anxiety and depression. Even our master antioxidant Glutathione needs magnesium for its synthesis. Foods rich in magnesium include dark green vegetables, nuts, seeds, legumes, figs, avocado and seafood such as salmon or mackerel.
Symptoms of Magnesium deficiency
- Fatigue
- Leg cramps and muscle pain
- Insomnia
- Migraines & headaches
- High blood pressure
Causes of Magnesium deficiency
- Soil depletion: Minerals like magnesium are derived from the soil. The use of chemicals including pesticides & fertilizers strip magnesium from our soils therefore the amount of magnesium in our soils have dramatically reduced
- Digestive issues: If you suffer from digestive discomfort, bloating, reflux and gas, this could be a sign of ‘leaky gut’. This leads to the mal-absorption of minerals such as magnesium
Foods rich in Magnesium
- Dark green vegetables
- Fruit (figs, avocado, bananas)
- Nuts, seeds, cacao nibs
- Dark chocolate
- Broccoli, asparagus
- Beans, legumes, chickpeas
Take note that only 1% of Magnesium in your body is in your bloodstream so it is very common to have a magnesium deficiency even if levels on a blood test are within normal parameters. Here at Nuriss we offer a Red Cell Magnesium blood test that will measure the amount of Magnesium in your blood stream and also inside your cells.
