Magnesium Deficiency

Magnesium Deficiency – A Growing Widespread Problem

There are many foods that are rich in magnesium, including walnuts, Brazil nuts and pumpkin seeds for example, however there is today a huge deficiency in magnesium in the soil of which these foods are grown, this means that the food too is also deficient. To obtain the amount of magnesium per day that we would need would be roughly a bowl of organic pumpkin seeds. Our bodies also lose magnesium that we may have through activities such as exercise.
Magnesium regulates more than 325 enzymes in the body including those that produce, transport, store and utilize energy.
According to leading expert on the subject Dr Carolyn Dean in her book The Magnesium Miracle:
“Magnesium has numerous physiological roles, among which are control of nerve action, the activity of the heart, neuromuscular transmission, muscular contraction, vascular tone, blood pressure, and peripheral blood flow. Magnesium modulates and controls the entry and release of calcium from the cell, which determines muscular activity. Without magnesium, muscle and nerve functions are compromised and energy is diminished. We are operating with the power turned off. Muscular weakness, soft bones, anxiety, heart attacks, arrhythmia, and even seizures and convulsions can result.”
Magnesium is considered to be an essential mineral and described by Dean as the ‘missing mineral.’ Its deficiency has been present amongst many suffering from a vast number of chronic illnesses and has been shown to be of value when treating:

• Anxiety and panic attacks
• Asthma
• Blood clots
• Bowel disease
• Cystitis
• Depression
• Detoxification
• Diabetes
• Fatigue
• Heart disease
• Hypertension
• Hypoglycemia
• Insomnia
• Kidney disease
• Migraine
• Musculoskeletal conditions
• Nerve problems
• Obstetrical and gynaecological problems
• Osteoporosis
• Raynaud’s syndrome
• Tooth decay

For the purposes of resistance training, Magnesium taken after exercise will relax your muscles after they have been trained, leading to better sleep and a faster recovery. As magnesium is lost from the body during exercise as well as blocked from being absorbed by other nutrients, particularly those who consume a lot of protein, tea or foods rich in phytic acid such as soybeans for example it is of particular importance for those who perform resistance training or engage in intense exercise regularly to supplement with Magnesium regularly.
According to Dr Seelig an internationally recognized Magnesium expert he recommends that for those who exercise moderately (one to two hours per day) if male (weighing 220lb) should be supplementing with between 600-850mg of Magnesium per day and if female (weighing 150 lb) 400-530mg per day. All however should be getting at least 300mg per day.
It is believed that magnesium deficiency could be a key factor behind sudden cardiac death syndrome affecting many athletes.
It is therefore to everyone’s benefit to ensure a minimum of 300mg of any form of Magnesium ending in ‘ate.” And to read more into it by reading Dr Deans remarkable book The Magnesium Miracle.
by Alex Carson

References

Dean, C (2007) The Magnesium Miracle, Ballantine Books: United States

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