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According to the American Psychological Association, the United States is experiencing a national mental health crisis. And it’s all due to the prevalence of stress among its citizens.
Everyone experiences stress from time to time. But, prolonged, unmanaged stress can lead to devastating health consequences. It puts you at greater risk for a long list of chronic conditions. And, it can also make you more prone to mood disorders like anxiety and depression.
One essential mineral linked with the body’s chronic stress experience is magnesium. Studies found that roughly half of all Americans are magnesium deficient. So, there’s a good chance that you could benefit from magnesium supplementation.
Are you wondering what you need to know about magnesium deficiency? Let’s take a look!
One essential mineral linked with the body's chronic stress experience is magnesium. Studies found that roughly half of all Americans are magnesium deficient. So, there's a good chance that you could benefit from magnesium… Share on XWhat Is Magnesium?
Magnesium is a mineral. It plays a vital role in more than three hundred enzymatic reactions in the human body. And, it’s responsible for helping to support the immune system, regulate blood pressure, and assist with nerve and muscle function. Magnesium deficiency is linked with several health complications.
The list of bodily processes that magnesium participates in is far too long to list here. Here are a couple of note. It helps to build strong bones and proteins in the body. And, it also helps make the heartbeat steady by acting as an electrical conductor. Pretty cool, right?
More than half of your body’s magnesium is found in your bones. The rest of it is located in various bodily tissues. Research has found that up to 50% of the population is magnesium deficient. It’s the fourth most abundant mineral in your body. And, it’s found in every cell and is necessary for proper cell function.
Many foods contain magnesium, but it can also be taken as a supplement.
Why Do We Need Magnesium?
As stated above, it’s an essential mineral and electrolyte. It is a vital player in many body processes, and we need a certain amount of magnesium for our health and wellbeing. Some of the processes in which magnesium plays a significant role include:
- Nerve function
- Bone and teeth structure
- Muscle function
- Energy production
- RNA and protein synthesis
- DNA replication
Without enough magnesium, individuals can start to display the symptoms of magnesium deficiency. We cover those symptoms, below. The importance of getting enough magnesium can’t be overstated. Your body uses magnesium to transform food into energy. Uses it to create new proteins out of amino acids. Regulate neurotransmitters. And so much more.
Supplementing and Magnesium
Prolonged stress can have devastating effects on our bodies and minds. Your thoughts, behavior, feelings, and physical health can be affected by the symptoms of stress.
Managing stress is a necessary tool for health in the modern world. It will help to ensure that unchecked stress doesn’t lead to serious health problems like heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity.
When you get stressed out, it’s your body’s natural reaction to experiences you have in life. Of course, no one is free from stress. And stress can even be beneficial to your health in the case of short-term, immediate situations.
When stressed, your body releases hormones, including cortisol and adrenaline. This can increase your breathing, make your heart beat fast, leave you sweating, and impact other bodily processes. Prolonged stress keeps your body in a heightened state. And that stresses your mind and body’s ability to function.
Several studies found that magnesium can be used to treat anxiety and stress. One review states that magnesium is a common factor in stress-related pathologies. And it claims that we can expect further characterization of magnesium in this way in the future.
It has also been found that stress increases the amount of magnesium you excrete. This can lead to a vicious cycle. The more stress you experience, the more likely you are to experience magnesium deficiency. Which can, in turn, raise your stress levels.
Magnesium Deficiency: What Does It Mean?
It is rare for an individual to display the symptoms of magnesium deficiency. But, this isn’t because we get tons of magnesium in our diet. In fact, most people don’t get enough magnesium from their diet. (According to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.)
But, symptoms aren’t as common as you might expect. That’s because the human body is pretty good at retaining healthy magnesium levels.
Many factors make it more likely for an individual to experience magnesium deficiency symptoms. These include:
- Being hospitalized
- Being older
- Having type 2 diabetes
- Being pregnant and lactating
- Eating a low-magnesium diet
- Having celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, regional enteritis, or other gastrointestinal disorders
- Taking certain medications such as antibiotics, bisphosphonates, diuretics, or proton pump inhibitors
- Having hyperaldosteronism and parathyroid disorders
- Drinking too much alcohol or having genetic conditions that lead to losing too much magnesium through sweat and urine
If a person experiences long-term magnesium deficiency, it can harm several bodily functions. These include the digestive system, bone density, nerve and muscle function, and brain function.
What Are the Symptoms of Magnesium Deficiency?
There are several early warning signs that point to magnesium deficiency. These include:
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Loss of appetite
- Weakness
- Vomiting
More symptoms that might express themselves if an individual is magnesium deficient include:
- Insomnia
- Poor cognitive processing
- IBS disorders
- Migraines and headaches
- Anxiety
- Mood and behavioral disorder
- Chronic pain
As you can see, these are all symptoms that could be from another cause. Some of the symptoms that might occur if magnesium deficiency goes untreated include:
- Seizures
- Coronary spasms
- Abnormal heart rhythms
- Changes in the personality
- Lower potassium levels in the blood
- Lower calcium levels in the blood
- Muscle contractions and cramps
- Tingling and numbness in the hands and feet
- Asthma
- Osteoporosis
- Heart palpitations
With ongoing magnesium deficiency, long-term health can be negatively affected. This can also put them at greater risk for several severe conditions. This includes heart disease, osteoporosis, type 2 diabetes, and high blood pressure.
Supplementing With Magnesium
Struggling with stress and expect that you might be deficient in magnesium? Most of the population is. You’ll be glad to know there are methods through which you can stop the vicious cycle explained above. Refuel your body with this essential mineral by supplementing with a well-absorbed form of magnesium.
But don’t jump online or head to your local pharmacy to buy magnesium supplements just yet. It’s worth noting that there are several different forms of magnesium. Some are easier to absorb than others, and each variation serves a different purpose. Let’s take a look at our top recommendation.
What Makes Youtheory’s Relax Magnesium Unique
There are countless magnesium supplements on the market. But, we want to highlight one that may help you better manage your stress levels.
Relax Magnesium Powder is a product made by Youtheory. This magnesium supplement contains highly absorbable magnesium citrate and is effervescent and quick-acting. On top of that, it has a delicious berry flavor!
Two ingredients in this supplement make it stand out from the crowd. L-theanine and PharmaGABA. This product is specifically formulated to promote a state of relaxation.
The ideal time to take Relax Magnesium Powder is at bedtime. Overnight, the powerful ingredients help to soothe your body’s stress and promote a feeling of calmness.
PharmaGABA is a natural form of GABA. This helps to promote relaxation in your entire nervous system. PharmaGABA improves mental alertness and concentration. It also promotes feelings of calm and peace, reducing stress and anxiety.
L-Theanine is an amino acid that occurs in tea leaves. Many people supplement with L-theanine to help create fee
lings of relaxation. They won’t feel tired or experience a dreaded bout of brain fog.
It helps produce alpha brain waves. So, you’ll find many references online claiming that l-theanine is one of the best nootropics out there.
Are You Suffering From Magnesium Deficiency?
There’s a strong possibility that you could benefit from magnesium supplements. Especially considering that more than half of Americans are deficient in magnesium. But first, it’s essential to understand a few things about magnesium. The fact that some types of magnesium are more bioavailable than others, in particular.
At Nutrition World, we want to partner with you on your journey to wellness. We offer nutrition products, wellness experts, and holistic education in one place to ensure that you can live a full, healthy life. We believe that magnesium is such a vital nutrient that we actually include it in our Core 4 program. If you’d like to learn more about supplementation of any kind, make sure to reach out to us. We offer one-on-one wellness consultations and have a team of experts in the store that are happy to assist you. Check out our online shop today!
