How to Improve Low Magnesium Levels and Really Achieve Optimal Health
Magnesium
About ten years ago, I ended up in the hospital. My day had gone pretty well, and I did not have any symptoms of anything going wrong. The day ended, and I went to bed. I woke up a couple of hours later to use the bathroom and fell to the floor. The room was spinning out of control, and I could not walk. I was rushed to the hospital by ambulance, thinking I may be having a stroke or something else horrible.
In the hospital emergency room, the doctor’s tested my electrolytes, and my magnesium was .03. The normal range for this particular test should have been between 1.3 to 2.1. I spent the next three days in the hospital being pumped with magnesium through an iv. Even a week later, I was still feeling dizzy. Ever since those scary days, I have made it my mission to figure out the best way for me to supplement my magnesium and keep my levels optimum. I was a vegan after having cancer, and all of the fruits and vegetables I was eating were insufficient.
What is magnesium used for in our bodies?
Magnesium is essential for life. It is in every cell in our body.
Magnesium supports muscle and nerve function. Research suggests that high magnesium levels may reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. This means that we are not getting enough magnesium in our diet.
Low magnesium levels can increase blood pressure and the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, leg cramps, insomnia, osteoporosis, migraines, depression, and even cancer.
“Magnesium is an essential element required as a cofactor for over 300 enzymatic reactions and is thus necessary for the biochemical functioning of numerous metabolic pathways. Inadequate magnesium status may impair biochemical processes dependent on sufficiency of this element. Emerging evidence confirms that nearly two-thirds of the population in the western world is not achieving the recommended daily allowance for magnesium, a deficiency problem contributing to various health conditions.” 1
Types of Magnesium
Magnesium Citrate is used for treating occasional constipation.
Magnesium Glycinate is used for its calming effect and often treats anxiety and depression. It is also used to help with sleep.
Magnesium Oxide can relieve heartburn and indigestion.
Magnesium L-Threonate is used for brain health and manages brain disorders such as depression and memory loss due to age.
Magnesium Malate is a combination of magnesium and malic acid and has been used to treat diabetes and enhance exercise performance. 2
Magnesium Chloride is used to treat or prevent magnesium deficiency. It can be used as a soak to increase magnesium levels, ease joint and muscle pain and stiffness, and relieve tired feet.
Magnesium Lactate is an easily absorbed form of magnesium and is used to treat people with low magnesium.
Magnesium Taurate is magnesium with an amino acid called Taurine. It has shown promise in treating diabetes and improving blood pressure. 3
Magnesium Sulfate provides temporary relief from constipation.
Magnesium Orotate can be used to treat stomach acid, heartburn, and indigestion.
Food sources of magnesium
Our soil is so depleted of minerals that it is hard to keep up our mineral supply by food alone. However, some delicious plant sources of magnesium can give you a little boost. This list is far from exhaustive.
Cacao
Pumpkin Seeds
Almonds
Spinach
Swiss Chard
Avocado
Artichokes
Legumes
Prunes
Apricots
Dates
Bananas
Guava
Kiwi
Papaya
How to improve our magnesium blood levels
How do you improve your numbers? What do we need to do to get to cell saturation? Every night, I look forward to my magnesium foot soaking with a cup of hot tea infused with magnesium. Remember that magnesium is used for relaxation and, along with the foot soaks, will help you get the best night's sleep and reach cell saturation.
Cell saturation means your magnesium red blood cell count is at least 6.3.
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How to test
You will need the magnesium RBC test, not the Magnesium Blood Serum test. Not all doctors will give you this test when asked. You can go to Walk-In-Lab to order your own without a doctor’s recommendation.
Relaxing foot or bath soaks
Get a glass or ceramic bowl (do not use plastic)
Add enough water (any temperature) to cover your feet
Add 1/4 cup of magnesium chloride soak from here (Don’t forget to put in promo code GOODMAG for your 10% discount) to water.
Soak your feet from 20-45 minutes
Alternatively, you can put magnesium chloride in your bathwater…which I absolutely LOVE!!
Magnesium tea
Prepare your tea of choice. (I like Traditional Medicine's Nighty Night tea at night or chamomile tea from Mountain Rose Herbs I'm generally not a fan of chamomile tea, but Mountain Rose has one that really helps with sleep and tastes pretty good.
I like to add a pack of this magnesium to my tea for the extra magnesium boost and flavor. Remember, we are doing all we can to get to cell saturation! That means soaking (which I have found helps tremendously), eating magnesium-rich foods, and supplementing when necessary.
Magnesium Infused Tea
Who wants to join me in a 30-day magnesium challenge?
Comment below with dates that would work for you! Remember, we all need magnesium. We can do this!
Get tested here: Walk-In-Labs
Get your magnesium soak here: Magnesium Soak. Use the keyword GOODMAG for 10% off your entire purchase. Not only do they carry the most absorbable form of magnesium chloride on the planet, but they have the most soothing magnesium muscle rub. This transdermal magnesium chloride muscle creme is not only fantastic for tired muscles but will literally stop leg cramps in their tracks!
Get your magnesium packets here:
Get your organic tea here:
Comment below if you are going to do this with me!
Disclaimer: The contents of this website are based on personal experiences, opinions, and my own research. Information on this website is for educational purposes and is not meant to diagnose, replace, treat or cure any medical or mental health condition. Please see your doctor with any health-related questions. Statements on this website have not been approved or evaluated by the FDA. While perusing this site, please use your best judgment in conjunction with your Naturopath or other health care provider.
