The Miracle Mineral?
Anxious? Struggling with sluggish bowels? Craving chocolate?
This could be a sign of magnesium deficiency.
We all are trying our best to eat “healthier”. Whatever that may mean to you.
“Detox” is a commonly used word amongst in wellness communities and across social media.
In the marketing world, the words “alkalizing”, and “detoxifying” are used interchangeably to describe the benefits of consuming specific foods, beverages and supplements… but often overlooked is Nature’s most powerful alkalizing tool available— Magnesium.
Magnesium is an essential mineral required by every function and system in the body.
It is responsible for over 300 enzyme reactions and found in the bones, tissues, brain and blood.
There are thousands of medical references to magnesium related deficiencies, including everyday annoyances not limited to— irritability, constipation, headaches, irregular or rapid heart rate, insomnia, sensitivity to light and noises, depression, and anxiety.
Magnesium is considered one of Nature’s most natural and fast acting relaxants, and my secret weapon when it comes to quickly aiding in proper elimination, improving sleep, and combatting stress— all crucial components to leading a well balanced life, and essential for naturally and regularly removing stagnant impurities from the body.
Some of the best sources of magnesium are found in sea vegetables, leafy greens, sprouted nuts, seeds, and legumes, but easily diminished with modern day lifestyle choices— alcohol, stress, salt, caffeinated beverages, soda, and pharmaceutical medications, and drugs such as high blood pressure medicine, and diuretics.
On top of that, modern day humans eat a diet devoid of many essential nutrients, including magnesium. Highly-processed, refined foods, flours, sugars, meat, dairy, and farmed seafood not only contain none of this alkalizing mineral, but they also inhibit it’s absorption by slowing digestion.
When considering any sort of wellness plan or “cleanse”, magnesium should be a component and supplemented as much as possible through a diet of whole plant based foods, but especially if any component of modern day living is inhibiting you from living your best life— a magnesium supplement can help aid the body in detoxification.
As far as cleansing and detoxification goes, I like this Magnesium supplement for improving elimination (although not considered a replacement for a magnesium supplement) and this supplement for every day support. Please consult with you healthcare practitioner before changing anything in your wellness plan. If you are local to Dallas, pop into Sundrops and ask one of their educated staff, or the owner, Mark, which magnesium supplement is ideal for you.
Here are several foods that are rich in magnesium:
Leafy greens. Get them in your green smoothie, raw green juice or sauté them up.
Cacao and dark chocolate. Craving chocolate? This may be a sign up magnesium deficiency.
Avocados. Massage them into raw kale to double up on that magnesium— or dive into the guacamole with some veggies.
Seeds— my personal favorite are raw sprouted pumpkin seeds and hemp hearts. Raw nuts can be a good source as well… but I worry about allergies associated with these foods.
Legumes! Lentils and peas are the easiest to digest.
Fatty fish— Try wild halibut or Norway farmed salmon from Central Market or Whole Foods.
Bananas. Best known for potassium, bananas are also a great source of magnesium— so add them to your smoothie.
Seaweed! Add kelp to your bone broth, or wrap your food in a nori wrap. Snack on roasted seaweed with olive oil.
Note: I skip soy products here. Despite being a source of magnesium, I personally do not believe soy is beneficial and can cause digestive issues, food sensitivities and alter hormones.