Shrinkinguy Fitness
  • Blog
  • Workouts
  • Weight Loss
  • Health
  • About
  • Contact

Should I Take Magnesium?

9/15/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
According to Mercola.com, magnesium is a crucially important mineral for optimal health, performing a wide array of biological functions, including but not limited to:
  • Activating muscles and nerves
  • Creating energy in your body by activating adenosine triphosphate (ATP)
  • Helping digest proteins, carbohydrates, and fats
  • Serving as a building block for RNA and DNA synthesis
  • Acting as a precursor for neurotransmitters like serotonin

It is estimated that 80% of Americans have a magnesium deficit.  But what does that mean?  How do I know if I have a magnesium deficit, and how much magnesium should I be taking, and how?

How do I know if I am magnesium deficient?  According to the NIH and other sources, symptoms of deficiency include loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, weakness, anxiety and restless leg syndrome. As magnesium deficiency worsens, numbness, tingling, muscle contractions and cramps, seizures, personality changes, abnormal heart rhythms, and coronary spasms can occur. 

How much you should be taking each day?  According to the National Institutes of Health, Table 1 shows the RDA for people of different ages and genders.
Picture
So for me, a 49 year old male, I should be taking 420 mg of magnesium per day.  But according to Dr. Carolyn Dean, perhaps twice as much magnesium is needed.

How do I get that through the food that I eat?  Table 2 shows 20 different food sources of magnesium.
Picture

So perhaps I just feel weak or anxious.  Of course there could be any number of reasons why I'm feeling that way, but it's good to rule out a magnesium deficiency. I would first try eating more magnesium-rich foods, or if necessary, take magnesium supplements. The downside to supplements is that they can cause nausea, cramps, and diarrhea. 

I am not a doctor or a nutrition expert.  You should consult yours if you have a question. For a good read on magnesium as pretty much a miracle mineral, read this.
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Archives

    September 2021
    May 2020
    January 2020
    November 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    January 2019
    September 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014

    Follow Me

    Facebook
    Pinterest
    Twitter
    Tumblr
    Instagram
    Google+

    RSS Feed

    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture

© 2022 Shrinkinguy Fitness - Please don't use any site content without linking - Contact Me
  • Blog
  • Workouts
  • Weight Loss
  • Health
  • About
  • Contact