Fixing Magnesium Deficiency Naturally for Better Health

By Jonathan Hunsaker

Reading Time: 8 minutes

This article discusses emerging/ongoing science and research. It is intended for general informational purposes only. This content is unrelated to products offered by Organixx and does not contain any representations about the performance of such products.

Are you feeling constantly tired, experiencing muscle cramps, or dealing with unexplained anxiety? These could be signs that you need to fix magnesium deficiency naturally. As someone who struggled with my own health issues for years, I’ve learned firsthand how this often-overlooked mineral can make a dramatic difference in how you feel every day.

Magnesium is involved in over 300 biochemical reactions in your body, yet roughly 50% of Americans don’t get enough of this vital nutrient. When your body lacks magnesium, it affects everything from your energy levels to your mental health, sleep quality, and even heart function.

In this guide, you’ll discover the most effective ways to identify and correct magnesium deficiency through diet, lifestyle changes, and smart supplementation strategies.

Keep reading to learn how boosting your magnesium levels could be the missing piece in your health puzzle!

Key Takeaways

  • Magnesium deficiency affects approximately 50% of Americans and can cause symptoms including fatigue, muscle cramps, anxiety, and poor sleep.
  • Leafy greens, nuts, seeds, and whole grains are excellent dietary sources of magnesium that can help address deficiency naturally.
  • Stress, certain medications, alcohol consumption, and poor gut health can deplete magnesium levels in the body.
  • Magnesium plays a crucial role in mental health by regulating neurotransmitters that affect mood, stress response, and sleep quality.
  • The form of magnesium matters significantly for absorption and targeted benefits; a full-spectrum formula like Magnesium 7 provides multiple types to address various health concerns simultaneously.
  • Always consult with a healthcare provider before starting magnesium supplementation, especially if you have kidney problems or take medications.

Understanding Magnesium Deficiency

Before we dive into solutions, let’s understand what we’re dealing with.

What is Magnesium and Why is it So Important?

Magnesium is the fourth most abundant mineral in your body and is essential for numerous biological functions. Think of it as your body’s quiet workhorse – it doesn’t get the same attention as calcium or iron, but without sufficient magnesium, your body simply can’t function properly.

This mineral magnesium is crucial for:

  • Energy production at the cellular level
  • Protein synthesis
  • Muscle and nerve function
  • Blood glucose control
  • Blood pressure regulation
  • DNA and RNA synthesis
  • Bone development and maintenance
  • Supporting heart health

Common Signs You May Be Deficient

The tricky thing about magnesium deficiency is that it often goes undiagnosed. Standard blood tests may not catch it because only 1% of your body’s magnesium is in your bloodstream – the rest is stored in bones, tissues, and cells.

Here are signs that might indicate you need to fix magnesium deficiency naturally:

  • Persistent fatigue and low energy
  • Muscle twitches, tremors, or cramps
  • Irregular heartbeat or palpitations
  • Anxiety, irritability, or depression
  • Insomnia or difficulty staying asleep
  • Headaches or migraines
  • Constipation
  • PMS symptoms
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Weakened bone strength

Risk Factors for Magnesium Deficiency

Several factors can increase your risk of magnesium deficiency:

  1. Diet high in processed foods: The modern Western diet is notoriously low in magnesium.
  2. Chronic stress: When you’re stressed, your body uses up magnesium more quickly.
  3. Digestive disorders: Conditions like Crohn’s disease, celiac disease, or inflammatory bowel disease can reduce magnesium absorption.
  4. Certain medications: Diuretics, antibiotics, and proton pump inhibitors can deplete magnesium.
  5. Excessive alcohol consumption: Alcohol acts as a magnesium diuretic, causing you to excrete more of this vital mineral.
  6. Age: As we get older, our ability to absorb magnesium decreases while our kidney excretion may increase.
  7. Excessive sweating: Athletes or those who work in hot environments can lose significant amounts of magnesium through sweat.

How to Fix Magnesium Deficiency Through Diet

The most natural way to increase your magnesium levels is through your diet. Here are the best food sources of magnesium:

Top Magnesium-Rich Foods

  1. Leafy green vegetables: Spinach, kale, and Swiss chard are excellent sources of magnesium. Just one cup of cooked spinach provides about 157 mg of magnesium (37% of your daily needs).
  2. Nuts and seeds: Almonds, cashews, pumpkin seeds, and sunflower seeds are magnesium powerhouses. A 1-ounce serving of pumpkin seeds contains about 156 mg of magnesium.
  3. Whole grains: Brown rice, quinoa, and whole wheat bread contain significant amounts of magnesium.
  4. Legumes: Beans, lentils, and chickpeas are not only high in protein but also provide good amounts of magnesium.
  5. Dark chocolate: Good news for chocolate lovers! Dark chocolate (70% cocoa or higher) contains about 64 mg of magnesium per ounce.
  6. Avocados: One medium avocado provides about 58 mg of magnesium along with healthy fats.
  7. Bananas: A medium banana contains approximately 32 mg of magnesium.
  8. Fatty fish: Salmon, mackerel, and halibut are good sources of magnesium in foods as well as omega-3 fatty acids.

Simple Dietary Swaps to Boost Magnesium Intake

Making a few simple changes to your daily diet can significantly increase your magnesium consumption:

  • Replace white rice with brown rice or quinoa
  • Snack on a handful of almonds or pumpkin seeds instead of chips
  • Add spinach to your smoothies
  • Use avocado as a spread instead of butter
  • Choose whole grain bread over white bread
  • Enjoy a small piece of dark chocolate for dessert
  • Add beans to your salads and soups

Lifestyle Factors That Impact Magnesium Levels

While diet is crucial, several lifestyle factors can either help or hinder your body’s magnesium status:

Stress Management

When you’re stressed, your body burns through magnesium at an accelerated rate. This creates a vicious cycle: stress depletes magnesium, and low magnesium makes you more susceptible to stress.

To break this cycle:

  • Practice daily meditation or deep breathing
  • Engage in regular physical activity
  • Get adequate sleep
  • Try yoga or tai chi
  • Spend time in nature

Sleep Quality

There’s a reciprocal relationship between magnesium and sleep. Magnesium helps regulate neurotransmitters that promote sleep, while good sleep helps maintain proper mineral balance in the body.

Establish a consistent sleep routine and consider taking magnesium in the evening, as it has natural relaxation properties that can help improve sleep quality.

Alcohol Consumption

Alcohol acts as a diuretic, causing increased urination that flushes magnesium from your system. If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation and consider increasing your magnesium intake accordingly.

Hydration

Proper hydration supports the transportation of nutrients, including magnesium, throughout your body. Aim to drink at least 8 glasses of water daily, more if you’re active or live in a hot climate.

Magnesium and Mental Health: The Surprising Connection

One of the most fascinating aspects of magnesium is its profound impact on mental health. This connection deserves special attention, especially considering the rising rates of anxiety and depression worldwide.

How Magnesium Affects Brain Function

Magnesium regulates neurotransmitters, which send signals throughout your brain and nervous system. It also:

  • Helps control the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, your body’s central stress response system
  • Blocks the activity of stimulating neurotransmitters and binds to calming receptors
  • Regulates the release of stress hormones like cortisol
  • Maintains the health of the blood-brain barrier

The Research on Magnesium and Mental Health

Studies have found that magnesium supplementation can help:

In my own journey toward better health, addressing my magnesium deficiency made a remarkable difference in my anxiety levels and sleep quality. It wasn’t an overnight miracle, but within a few weeks, I noticed I was handling stress better and waking up more refreshed.

Choosing the Right Magnesium Supplement

If you can’t get enough magnesium through diet alone, supplementation is an excellent option. However, not all magnesium supplements are created equal.

Different Forms of Magnesium and Their Benefits

The type of magnesium you choose matters because each form has unique properties and absorption rates:

  • Magnesium citrate: Highly absorbable and helpful for constipation
  • Magnesium glycinate: Gentle on the stomach and helpful for anxiety, sleep, and muscle pain
  • Magnesium malate: Supports energy production and may help with fatigue
  • Magnesium taurate: Particularly beneficial for heart health and blood pressure
  • Magnesium threonate: Can cross the blood-brain barrier, potentially improving cognitive function
  • Magnesium orotate: May benefit heart health and athletic performance
  • Magnesium aspartate: Good for fatigue and supports cellular energy

What to Look for in a Quality Supplement

When selecting a magnesium supplement, consider these factors:

  1. Bioavailability: Choose forms that your body can easily absorb.
  2. Purity: Look for products tested for contaminants like heavy metals.
  3. Additional ingredients: Avoid unnecessary fillers, preservatives, or artificial colors.
  4. Form: Consider your specific health concerns when choosing the type of magnesium.
  5. Dosage: Start with a lower dose and gradually increase as needed.

Introducing Magnesium 7: A Comprehensive Approach

At Organixx, we recognized the need for a more complete magnesium solution, which is why we developed Magnesium 7. This unique formula contains seven different forms of magnesium, each chosen for its specific benefits and high bioavailability.

Magnesium 7 includes:

  • Chelated magnesium for muscle recovery
  • Magnesium glycinate for sleep, anxiety, and brain health
  • Magnesium aspartate for mood support
  • Magnesium malate for brain and nervous system function
  • Magnesium orotate for heart health and exercise performance
  • Magnesium taurate for cardiovascular support and relaxation
  • Magnesium citrate for healthy digestion and heart function

We’ve also added vitamin B6 and manganese citrate as co-factors to enhance absorption and effectiveness. The result is a full-spectrum approach to addressing magnesium deficiency that targets multiple body systems simultaneously.

As with all our products, Magnesium 7 undergoes rigorous third-party testing for purity and potency, with results openly shared on our website.

Additional Strategies to Enhance Magnesium Absorption

Beyond choosing the right foods and supplements, you can optimize your magnesium levels with these strategies:

Support Gut Health

Since magnesium is absorbed in your intestines, a healthy gut is essential for proper absorption. Include probiotics, fermented foods, and plenty of fiber in your diet to support your gut microbiome.

Balance Other Minerals

Minerals work in balance with each other. Too much calcium, for instance, can inhibit magnesium absorption. Ensure you’re getting appropriate amounts of all essential minerals, not just focusing on one.

Reduce Phytic Acid Intake

Phytic acid, found in some grains and legumes, can bind to magnesium and prevent its absorption. Soaking, sprouting, or fermenting these foods can reduce their phytic acid content.

Maintain Vitamin D Levels

Vitamin D plays a role in magnesium absorption and utilization. Consider testing your vitamin D levels and supplementing if necessary.

Monitoring Your Progress

How do you know if your efforts to fix magnesium deficiency naturally are working? Pay attention to these indicators:

Symptom Tracking

Keep a journal to track symptoms like energy levels, sleep quality, muscle cramps, and mood. As your magnesium levels improve, these symptoms should gradually diminish.

Testing Options

While standard blood tests have limitations, there are several ways to assess your magnesium status:

  • RBC (red blood cell) magnesium test: More accurate than standard serum tests
  • Magnesium loading test: Measures how much magnesium your body retains after supplementation
  • Hair mineral analysis: Can provide insights into long-term mineral status

Consult with a healthcare provider knowledgeable about nutritional deficiencies to determine the best testing approach for you.

Conclusion

Addressing magnesium deficiency can have profound effects on your overall health and wellbeing. From improved energy and mental clarity to better sleep and reduced anxiety, the benefits of optimal magnesium levels are extensive.

Remember that fixing magnesium deficiency naturally is a holistic process that involves diet, lifestyle, and sometimes supplementation. Be patient with your body as it rebalances, and know that small, consistent changes often yield the most sustainable results.

As with my own health journey, the path to wellness isn’t always a straight line. Listen to your body, work with knowledgeable healthcare providers, and adjust your approach as needed. Your body’s wisdom, combined with quality information and tools, can guide you toward optimal health.

Important note: Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any supplement regimen, especially if you have existing health conditions or are taking medications.

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