Are you one of the estimated 200 million Americans that struggles with magnesium deficiency? Magnesium, the "spark of life" or "miracle mineral," is required by every cell in the human body to function properly. Yet, once found in abundance as the eighth most plentiful mineral in the earth's crust and the third most frequently found in sea water, magnesium has slowly become depleted from our environment and leached from our soils due to the toxic conditions of our harsh modern industrial and agricultural practices. Sadly, researchers have found that even those with a well-balanced whole foods diets and an optimally functioning digestive system struggle to obtain adequate amounts of high quality, bioavailable magnesium in their diet. So, in the face of such adverse conditions, what are we to do? According to leading expert in the field, Carolyn Dean, MD, ND, author of The Magnesium Miracle, the process or restoring magnesium is actually remarkably simple with two easy steps.
1. Increase Magnesium Rich Foods
Although it is difficult in today's environment to obtain all of your magnesium stores from food, diet is an important place to start. Properly preparing foods to neutralize anti-nutrients and ensure that magnesium is offered in an unbound form when ingested is absolutely key. Most traditional preparation guidelines accomplish this inherently. Also, consciously avoiding food items like caffeine, alcohol, sugar and pesticide-heavy conventional produce, will help to ensure that magnesium is not unnecessarily stripped from the cells as one is trying to rebuild stores. Try incorporating the following foods into the diet in greater amounts:
- Seaweed- Kelp, Dulse
- Soaked and Sprouted Grains- Millet, Rye, Wheat
- Nuts and Seeds- Almonds, Cashews, Brazil Nuts, Pecans, Walnuts
- Nutritional Yeast
- Dried Coconut Meat- Chips, Flakes and Spread
- Vegetables- Collard Greens, Sweet Potatoes, Beets, Broccoli, Eggplant
- Raw Milk
2. Supplement with Magnesium Oil
Because magnesium acts as a laxative even in moderate amounts, individuals trying to supplement with oral formulations of this mineral often find it to cause very unpleasant side effects. What's more, because of their irritating nature, oral magnesium supplements often have poor absorption levels- some with rates as low as 4%. Pure, raw transdermal magnesium oils and flakes offer a highly effective and simple to use alternative. Applied to the skin and easily absorbed into the cells, transdermal magnesium products have been shown to help replenish magnesium stores safely, rapidly and gently. Transdermal magnesium is available as an spray oil, lotion, gel and in bath flakes. To learn more, watch the video below:
Curious to find out more about this amazing mineral? Check out some of our most popular magnesium blogs:
5 Reasons Why You Might Be Magnesium Deficient
All-Natural Muscle Cramp Relief
Why You Should Swap Bubbles for Magnesium Bath Flakes
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