90% of our body cells need calcium and magnesium. My mom and I cannot sleep without taking these two minerals in one cap or tab. My Parkinson’s senior client has an appetite now and is slowly recovering from overdose of meds with these two minerals in food and supplements. Do take your calcium and magnesium supplement in 60:40 ratio for better absorption with Vitamin C and zinc.
Here are some key facts about this vital mineral and why I feel it’s so important for you not to overlook. Magnesium…
- Is the fourth most abundant mineral in your body…
- Exists in over 300 different bodily enzymes…
- Is found primarily in your bones (50% of total body magnesium)…
- Plays a role in your body’s detoxification processes…*
- Aids your energy metabolism and protein synthesis…*
- Helps guide a large number of physiological functions…*
- Is required by glutathione (the ‘master antioxidant’) for synthesis…*
This should give you a pretty good picture why I believe magnesium is so important. And the number of Americans potentially not getting enough of this mineral is estimated as high as 80%. That’s a pretty staggering number.
With all this said, how do you really know if you’re getting an adequate supply or coming up short? In fact…
Is It Even Possible to Determine Your Magnesium Level?
Due to the difficulty with determining magnesium status in your tissues, there’s really not a good lab test today that will provide an accurate assessment. Additionally, only about 1% of the magnesium in your body is distributed in your blood.
Some early signs of a potential lack of magnesium in your body include…
- Loss of appetite and headache
- Nausea and vomiting
- Fatigue and weakness
As you can see, many of these symptoms are pretty general and can result from a variety of different conditions. If you suspect you’re low in magnesium, your first course of action is to consult with a healthcare professional. But are there any steps you can take yourself to help your body get a sufficient supply?
A Variety of Foods Rich in Magnesium
There are a number of foods with abundant supplies of magnesium. Raw, green organic vegetables, such as spinach, are excellent choices because the center of the chlorophyll molecule (which provides green veggies their brilliant color) contains magnesium.
Chlorophyll is like a plant’s version of our hemoglobin. They share a similar structure but chlorophyll has magnesium plugged in the middle instead of iron. In order to ensure you’re getting adequate amounts of magnesium, I recommend you first focus on eating a variety of foods that contain the mineral. And juicing green leafy vegetables can be an excellent strategy for obtaining magnesium as well.
Here’s a handy chart of specific foods that contain abundant amounts of magnesium for every 100 grams (just over 3 ounces) you consume…
| Food (100 grams) | Magnesium Content (mg) |
| Seaweed, agar, dried | 770 mg |
| Coriander leaf (spice), dried | 694 mg |
| Pumpkin seeds, dried | 535 mg |
| Cocoa, dry powder, unsweetened | 499 mg |
| Basil, dried | 422 mg |
| Flaxseed | 392 mg |
| Cumin seed (spice) | 366 mg |
| Brazil nuts, dried | 376 mg |
| Parsley, freeze dried | 372 mg |
| Almond butter | 303 mg |
| Cashew nuts, roasted | 273 mg |
| Whey, sweet, dried | 176 mg |
| Leeks, freeze dried | 156 mg |
| Kale, scotch, raw sesame seeds, raw |
88 mg 32 mg |
For bayarea seniors needing caregivers in their homes, contact Motherhealth at 408-854-1883 or motherhealth@gmail.com
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