2015, magnesium and stuff

i wish you all a happy, healthy, magical 2015!!!

i'll post more about my resolutions later ;)

a long time ago, i was told by my naturopath (and also a healer!) that it would be a good idea to incorporate magnesium into my daily vitamin/supplement/herb routine.

the other day, my father in law was told by his naturopath that it would be a good idea that he begin to take magnesium as well, so it sparked the thought...that i should blog about the wonder that is magnesium!

So...

What is magnesium?
- A metallic element whose salts re essential nutrients required for more than 300 enzymatic reactions that are necessary for NORMAL CELL FUNCTION! (this can obviously benefit everyone, especially if you've fallen prey to the S.A.D. --sad, american diet.)

-in a woman, not enough magnesium can cause emotional instability, excessive nervous sensitivity with generalized aches and pains and a lower premenstrual pain threshold or what we have labeled as PMS.

In addition to my everyday life, schedules, etc., I'm an avid reader, and observer of the Universe. I don't enjoy talking out of my *WOOHOO* unless I have something to back it up.

Since I am always pulling my research from everywhere and everything I can get my hands on...here's some information from varied sources:

"Severe magnesium deficiencies are rare. They're more likely in people who:

• Have kidney disease
• Have Crohn's disease or other conditions that affect digestion
• Have parathyroid problems
• Take antibiotics or drugs for diabetes and cancer
• Are older adults
• Abuse alcohol  " (from webmd.com)

"Benefits of Magnesium:

 

1. Better sleep - The sleep regulating hormone melatonin is disturbed when Magnesium is deficient. Furthermore, Magnesium brings balance and controls stress hormones. Stress and tension are often reasons why people suffer from insomnia in the first place.

 

2. Relaxes the nervous system - Serotonin, which relaxes the nervous system and elevates mood, is dependent on Magnesium.

 

3. Bigger, stronger muscles - Magnesium allows the body to produce more Insulin-like Growth Factor (IGF-1), which is a major contributor to the growth and strength of muscles. Furthermore, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is the cell's energy store, and is created with help from Magnesium.

 

4. Better flexibility - Magnesium loosens tight muscles. Without Magnesium, muscles do not relax properly and cramps occur. Magnesium is important for flexibility, because low Magnesium results in a buildup of lactic acid, causing pain and tightness.

 

5. Bone integrity and strength - Magnesium helps to fix calcium properly. It may blow some people's mind that the calcium supplements they're taking are not only useless, but are actually contributing to osteoporosis! There are actually about eighteen essential nutrients that contribute to bone health; Magnesium is definitely one of the most essential, because it stimulates a particular hormone called calcitonin. And, it also suppresses a hormone called parathyroid that breaks down bone.

 

6. Remineralizes teeth - Magnesium deficiency causes an unhealthy balance of phosphorous and calcium in saliva, which damages teeth.

 

7. Alkalizes the body - Magnesium helps return the body’s pH balance. Magnesium reduces lactic acid, which is partly responsible for post-exercise pain (Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness).

 

8. Hydrates - Magnesium is a necessary electrolyte essential for proper hydration.

 

9. Helps to relieve constipation - Magnesium can be used to cleanse the bowels of toxins.

 

10. Enzyme function - Enzymes are protein molecules that stimulate every chemical reaction in the body. Magnesium is required to make hundreds of these enzymes work and assists with thousands of others.

 

11. Diabetes - Magnesium enhances insulin secretion, which facilitates sugar metabolism. Without Magnesium, glucose is not able to transfer into cells. Glucose and insulin build up in the blood, causing various types of tissue damage, including the nerves in the eyes.

 

There are many other benefits of Magnesium: It helps prevent stroke, heart disease, period pain, and more."

(http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-5473/11-Miraculous-Ways-Magnesium-Heals-Your-Mind-Body.html)

"Sources of Magnesium

Natural sources of magnesium include sea vegetables, leafy vegetables such as spinach, and whole grains that are usually major components of a person’s regular diet. Some other vegetables that can be classified as rich magnesium sources include tomatoes, beet greens, broad beans, lima beans, artichokes, sweet potatoes, buckwheat flour, pumpkin seeds, peanuts, wheat flour, oat bran, barley, cornmeal and chocolate. Also, you can consume dairy products such as milk and yoghurts, as well as non-vegetarian products like fish to acquire magnesium. Whole wheat bread containing bran and germ has twice the magnesium content compared to white bread. Water also has a high magnesium content; hard water has more magnesium than soft water, although hard water is not good for the body, especially the kidneys." 

(https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/minerals/health-benefits-of-magnesium.html)

"Magnesium is farmed out of the soil much more than calcium," Dr. Dean explains. "A hundred years ago, we would get maybe 500 milligrams of magnesium in an ordinary diet. Now we're lucky to get 200 milligrams. People do need to supplement with magnesium." (http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/12/08/magnesium-health-benefits.aspx)

~My magnesium education began when I started on the path of removing my amalgam teeth fillings (i had so many :( ) As I was detoxing a LOT to go through the safe removal, I found that I had stopped going to the bathroom ( #2!! ) as much as I used to. I spoke to a beautiful friend of mine, and she mentioned, MAGNESIUM needed to be added to my protocol! It kind of has those enzymatic reactions swish everything about and cause you to go go go! It's a wonderful thing <3

Hope this helped you guys!

Much LOVE and light and Happy, squishy feelings,

the globetrotting gamine