One common deficiency that shows up with clients in Kinesiology sessions is the need for magnesium. The interesting thing is there’s no reliable blood test that will show this mineral deficiency.
As time marches on, your body becomes less efficient and effective in absorbing important vitamins and minerals. Despite eating a healthy diet rich in fresh organic vegetables, you may still come up short in certain nutrients.
One nutrient in particular often surprisingly comes up is magnesium, it may not be one you hear much about.
Yet the number of people – and many middle aged and above – potentially not getting enough of this nutrient is high. Some experts believe it may be as high as 80 percent! That’s a pretty staggering number.
And here’s one of the biggest problems about this nutrient… very little of it actually resides in your blood, that is why there’s no accurate blood test for measuring the levels. This is also probably why this potential nutrient deficiency doesn’t fall on too many peoples radar…
Why You Don’t Ever Want to Be Short on Magnesium
Magnesium is not a nutrient you want to run low on, despite it being so commonly overlooked.
Here are some key reasons why I feel it’s so important for you to pay special attention to Magnesium…
- It is the fourth most abundant mineral in your body
- Exists in over 300 different bodily enzymes
- Is found primarily in your bones (half of your total body magnesium)
- Plays a role in your body’s detoxification processes
- Aids your energy metabolism and protein synthesis
- Helps guide a large number of physiological functions
- Is required by glutathione (the “master antioxidant”) for synthesis
- Is especially valuable for supporting your brain health
This should give you a good picture of why I believe magnesium is so important. So how can you know if you’re getting an adequate supply?
Some early signs of a potential lack of magnesium in your body may include…
- Loss of appetite and headache
- Nausea and vomiting
- Fatigue and weakness
As you can see, many of these symptoms are pretty general and can result from a variety of different conditions. If you suspect you’re low in magnesium, your first course of action may be to consult with a healthcare professional but it would be a good idea to get tested by a kinesiologist to see if your body is in need of magnesium.
But there are also some steps you can take to help make sure you don’t fall into the potential majority who may be deficient…
First, Look to Your Diet
There are a number of foods that supply plentiful magnesium, but not everyone includes these in their daily eating. Organic green, raw vegetables, such as spinach, are excellent choices because the centre of the chlorophyll molecule (which provides green veggies their brilliant colour) contains magnesium.
Chlorophyll is like a plant’s version of our haemoglobin. They share a similar structure but chlorophyll has magnesium plugged in the middle instead of iron. To help get adequate amounts of magnesium, focus on eating a variety of foods that contain high levels of the mineral. Juicing green leafy vegetables can also be an excellent strategy for obtaining magnesium from food.
Here’s a handy chart of specific foods that contain abundant amounts of magnesium for every 100 grams (just over 3 ounces) you consume…
| Food (100 grams) | Magnesium Content (mg) |
|---|---|
| Seaweed, agar, dried | 770 mg |
| Coriander leaf (spice), dried | 694 mg |
| Pumpkin seeds, dried | 535 mg |
| Cocoa, dry powder, unsweetened | 499 mg |
| Basil, dried | 422 mg |
| Flaxseed | 392 mg |
| Cumin seed (spice) | 366 mg |
| Brazil nuts, dried | 376 mg |
| Parsley, freeze dried | 372 mg |
| Almond butter | 303 mg |
| Cashew nuts, roasted | 273 mg |
| Whey, sweet, dried | 176 mg |
| Leeks, freeze dried | 156 mg |
| Kale, scotch, raw | 88 mg |
| Spinach | 79 mg |
Why You Still May Not Be Getting Enough
While some people may be able to maintain healthy levels of magnesium by regularly consuming foods rich in the mineral (like those foods in the chart above), there are certain factors that may prevent you from getting enough:
- Time– Over time your body faces challenges that can lead to a decrease in absorption of magnesium.
- Types of food you eat– If you consume mostly non-organic foods, their magnesium levels may be depleted due to chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Levels of magnesium in the soil determine what’s in the food.
- Medication– Certain medicines can contribute to a shortage of magnesium within your body.
- Practicality– For various reasons, it may not be possible for you to consume enough foods rich in magnesium due to availability or personal preferences.
If any of these factors apply to you and you’re concerned about maintaining adequate levels of magnesium, you might want to consider a high-quality supplement and kinesiology has the tool to test exacting which supplement is right for your body.
