** Why Magnesium ** A Blog Post By Harper Chiropractic

Have you ever wondered why when you come in to visit Dr. Harper he ALWAYS recommends Magnesium? If you have asked yourself that question, or rolled your eyes and thought “yeah, yeah, yeah, already!” I will see if I can help you understand how tremendously important it is to us.

Magnesium is involved in over 600 different reactions that happen in our bodies on a daily basis! Everything from metabolizing food, to transmitting nerve impulses, the fusion of fatty acids and proteins, muscle movement, gene maintenance and protein formation just to name a few. Magnesium is one of 7 essential macromineral, and we need to consume large amounts DAILY, of 100mg or more. Dr. Harper recommends 800-1000mg daily. Our bodies typically store 25 grams of magnesium, with 50% being store in the skeletal system. The rest goes to muscle, soft tissue and body fluids. What you may not realize is that 800mg is only equal to 0.8 grams. While 800-1000mg sounds like a lot, when you weigh that against what the body needs to have on hand its really just a drop in the bucket!

Studies indicate that about half the people in the US get far less that the recommended amounts of magnesium. And when was the last time your Doctor recommended you take magnesium??

Fluoride, Chlorine, daily use of sugar and caffeine all deplete magnesium supplies, and our soil is also much poorer in essential nutrients that it used to be! Stress is another drain on the magnesium supply in our bodies.

Magnesium deficiency can be responsible for calcium deficiency which can lead to osteoporosis, poor heart health, weakness, anxiety, high blood pressure, poor memory, fatigue, type II diabetes, respiratory problems, confusion, migraines, and PMS as well. Of course, there are many other things that can cause or contribute to this laundry list of problems, but why not boost your magnesium levels and see if that doesn’t help you feel better?

Some of the benefits of getting enough of this tiny innocuous macromineral are help in managing insulin levels in the body helping offset blood sugar spikes and crashes from occurring. Magnesium can prevent high blood pressure and assist in maintaining control, especially when combined with potassium in the diet. This does two things: controls stress that can elevate insulin levels and improves overall blood pressure which can increase insulin resistance allowing type II diabetes to occur more easily. Mood control and proper brain function are also magnesium dependent. Studies indicate that we are more prone to depression without proper levels of magnesium in our bodies. A randomized controlled trial including older adults suffering from depression were given a 450 mg magnesium supplement improving their mood just as effectively as an antidepressant drug!

Some signs of magnesium deficiency are: Anxiety, depression, muscle cramps, high blood pressure, hormone problems, sleep issues and low energy, low vitamin D and K levels.

Some great sources of magnesium are Spinach, Seeds, Cocoa and Cacao, Almonds, Bananas Coffee. Coffee is the highest source of liquid magnesium you can consume just in case your wondering, coming in at around 1000 mg or more, Espresso is slightly higher.

*Caution! Refined sugar and the calcium in milk can interfere with magnesium absorption. Drinking it black is best.

So next time you hear Dr. Harper recommend magnesium, you’ll know why!