So much information could be shared on the topic of anxiety, worrying and overthinking. I will post more on the topic later on, as it is a key component to wellness and overall health. Many people, even more so nowadays are coping with anxiety, insomnia and the inability to relax.every single day. For a variety of reasons, stress with work, financial matters, genetics or personality (prone to nervousness). Many factors contribute to the ability to properly manage stress and emotions. However, that is not the only cause. Interestingly in the last few years I came across the link between mineral deficiencies and the serious effects on the body, which is becoming more commonly talked about in health care. As many studies are rapidly underway to correlate and start understanding the link between gut health + mental health…..As magnesium is absorbed in the gut, by the small intestine.
Magnesium is needed in the body to regulate a variety of functions and is one of the key minerals in the body. From regulating insulin levels, diabetes prevention, heart health and bone health. Low magnesium levels also attribute to higher levels of anxiety and migraines, leg cramps at night and seizures. I used to have all 4. I used to frequently get migraines about 3-6x per month, and was unable to sleep through the night, unable to sleep at all some nights and had seizures through my life, and horrible leg pains at night while growing up. The epilepsy I had, had no root cause and was always a mystery to the doctors assisting me, low and be hold low magnesium levels are also linked to seizures. Magnesium is often used by injection to control seizures. While reading all of this new information it became really hard for me not to get frustrated with our current health care system, and its lack of attention paid to detail. Magnesium? That was what could have been at the root cause of all the discomfort, I am only speculating. However, the link is strong and scientific evidence supports it.
I have never approached by general practitioner regarding the topic as they typically suggestion oral medications for the above mentioned ailments, which typically have strong side effects. I have the utmost respect for doctors, however I would recommended approaching a Naturopath Doctor for a conversation such as this.
After a ton of reading a research it became clear to me what was underlying all of these, mineral deficiency, with depleted magnesium levels I was suffering huge. I suspect at a younger age while my body was undergoing changes and going through puberty the demand was huge for magnesium, and as an adult it began to balance out, the seizures and leg pains stopped, but the anxiety and lack of sleep never did. Until I started supplementing my daily intake with a magnesium supplement. I could guesstimate that 90% of individuals today are depleted of essential vitamins, minerals and nutrients due to our quality of food and our levels of stress. Chronic headaches, muscle stiffness, inability to sleep, teeth grinding and tension/anxiety are all connected with magnesium deficiency.
Magnesium is also used to TREAT, ADHD, chronic fatigue syndrome, weak bones, PMS, urinary incontinence, lyme disease, fibromyalgia, constipation and can be used to assist with weight loss.
If magnesium TREATS all these conditions, why are we not talking more about it? Why are doctors not looking at their patients and seeing the signs of depletion???? It blows my mind and so I am blowing the whistle. Magnesium should be coming in adequate amounts through our intake of foods like fiber, broccoli, squash, green leafy vegetables and whole grains. How many people include this in their diet everyday?
If you do have any of the above mentioned symptoms, I recommended going to a local health foods store and picking up a supplement either capsule or powder form. Speak with your doctor if you are taking medications as drug interactions may be common. I will do another post on how the body can become depleted of these minerals and other signs of mineral deficiencies.
References
Cold, F., Health, E., Disease, H., Disease, L., Management, P., & Conditions, S. et al. (2019). Magnesium: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Dosage, and Warning. Retrieved from https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-998/magnesium