In an over-fed, undernourished world, here’s a bit of tasty news. Addressing just one simple nutrient deficiency can prevent a long list of modern society’s present-day diseases while vastly improving the quality of your life.
You never hear magnesium mentioned in the same breath as vitamin C, A, E and calcium; however, magnesium is responsible for over 300 biochemical reactions in your body. The role of magnesium in preventing heart disease and kidney stones is widely accepted. Individuals who die suddenly of heart attacks have been shown to have very low levels of magnesium in their bodies.
Alas, due to overzealous processing of modern food and mono-crop farming, the majority of Americans are deficient in dietary magnesium – a deficiency that may be responsible for more diseases than any other nutrient. If you’re addicted to the traditional Western diet, this deficiency will continue unless you eat more plant food or at least take a supplement.
Generally, if you are older, consume lots of refined white flour products, or if you have high blood pressure, the daily dose of magnesium should be larger. Diabetics, alcoholics, the obese and those with chronic gastrointestinal issues or heart failure, and the elderly are more likely to be low in magnesium.
Sources of magnesium are all over the grocery and farmers markets. It’s just that it’s in plant sources many people don’t particularly like, such as dark leafy greens, avocado, cucumber, nuts and pumpkin seeds, whole grains, bran, whole wheat pasta, spirulina, shiitake, coconut meat, black tea, and, well, you get it, it’s everywhere. Untoasted sesame seed oil and tahini contain magnesium too.
Low levels of magnesium increase susceptibility to, or is involved with the prevention of diabetes, heart attacks, high blood pressure, kidney stones, cancer, insomnia, menstrual cramping, blood clotting, immune cell activity, insulin sensitivity and blood sugar transport, and controlling free radical damage.
Before you start popping vitamins, please do your research. Don’t guess. More is never better. In addition to our daily diet, my wife and I take 400 mg magnesium citrate daily. Visit your local community health foods grocery, ask what dose is best for you, then purchase an inexpensive bottle of magnesium citrate and show yourself some love.
Let’s learn how to eat all over again because as disease rates continue to soar, what we’re doing now is clearly not working.
