Getting Swimsuit Ready? Why Macronutrients Matter When Counting Calories
Most of us know we need to get our daily vitamins, and that minerals such as calcium and iron are essential for good health, but who knows very much about magnesium? Most people associate magnesium with something dangerous because their only conscious interaction with it was when their chemistry teacher set fire to it in the lab and then plunged it into water creating an explosion or shower of sparks.
Actually magnesium is a very friendly mineral that is involved in a staggering number of processes within our bodies. A growing number of nutritionists now believe that magnesium deficiency could be at the root of many health problems we see today.
Author of The Magnesium Miracle, Carolyn Dean, believes that at least 80% of the U.S. population has a magnesium deficiency, partly because the standard modern diet doesn’t provide an adequate amount of it. Chronic stress depletes magnesium levels, and processed foods contain substances that inhibit absorption of magnesium.
Magnesium can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, and can regulate blood pressure and cholesterol. In his book, The Wellness Project, Roy Mankovitz suggests that magnesium deficiency is actually the reason that saturated fat appears to increase blood cholesterol. He states that saturated fat binds with magnesium in the body, meaning that it isn’t available for use, and the result is high cholesterol levels and cardiovascular disease.
In addition to heart disease and strokes, magnesium deficiencies have also been linked with conditions as diverse as autism, asthma, osteoporosis, cerebral palsy, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome. The bottom line is that this is a pretty important mineral.
What Does Magnesium Do?
All specific functions of magnesium are hard to list because there are so many, but here are ten of the general roles magnesium plays in the body. Magnesium is essential for:
- Enzyme interaction
- Energy production
- Transmission of nerve impulses
- Detoxification
- Temperature regulation
- Calcium metabolism
- Regulating cardiovascular contractions
- Relaxing blood vessels
- Balancing blood thickness
- Regulating insulin levels
Some of the initial symptoms of magnesium deficiency are insomnia, nervousness, fatigue, palpitations and heart problems, leg cramps, and general physical weakness.
How Do I Get More Magnesium?
It is estimated that the standard American diet only provides around 40% of the magnesium we need. You can increase your consumption of magnesium by eating more leafy green vegetables, nuts, legumes and whole grains. However, magnesium comes from the soil in which these plant foods are grown, and in many cases the magnesium in the soil has been depleted, meaning plants can’t absorb it. Organic produce will contain more magnesium than conventionally grown plant foods.
As we mentioned earlier, magnesium can be difficult to absorb, and magnesium in the body can be quickly depleted by the everyday stresses of modern life. For this reason a magnesium supplement, alongside something to help with the absorption of magnesium, is a great idea for virtually everybody.
Triple Mag delivers magnesium as fully soluble alkaline salts and includes three transport co-factors to speed it into cells and boost energy. Magnesium supplements should always be taken with meals to improve absorption.
If you are particularly low on magnesium, Mag Boost is indicated. This supplement is formulated to open your cells to receive and absorb magnesium, and provides many additional benefits which include increased physical performance, weight loss and blood cleansing. Mag Boost is especially indicated for anyone suffering from chronic fatigue or fibromyalgia.
