The Great Natural Calmer: Marvelous Magnesium

It is hard to believe this simple mineral is responsible for the correct metabolic function of over 350 enzymes in the body. Stress chews up our magnesium stores as well as our vitamin B and C stores and nearly all of our patients at A Healthy View would have some type of magnesium deficiency despite a good diet. Magnesium is found in leafy green vegetables, nuts, seeds, legumes, rooibos tea, quinoa and even dark chocolate. Spinach, pumpkin seeds and black beans are especially high in magnesium. A deficiency in magnesium … might explain your chocolate cravings! Magnesium.... a nutritionist valium!

• Magnesium can help you sleep. Michele recommends 1000mg before bed to help you fall and stay asleep through the night. (Consult a health practitioner before taking any supplements)

• Magnesium helps to balance the nervous system. Magnesium has a calming effect, which can help you relax and unwind. We often call magnesium ‘the great calmer.’

• Magnesium helps to relax aching, tense muscles. Muscle soreness is a fairly common detox response when people are going through the first few days of our Cleanse & Nourish program. We always recommend 2 litres of water, herbal teas, do gentle stretching and try taking some magnesium to help with the muscle aches, soreness or spasms.

• Magnesium can help with constipation. If you’re experiencing constipation, take 1000 mg of magnesium citrate at night, and that should get things moving by morning. A mineral that helps you feel calm and sleep soundly and gets things moving? Sounds like a miracle to me! Another way to enjoy the benefits of magnesium is by treating yourself to an epsom salt bath. The magnesium in the salt and the hot, soothing water will help you relax and release tension. Better yet, take an epsom salt bath while nibbling some dark chocolate and sipping some rooibos tea! Yes I said Dark chocolate- remember I am the modern day nutritionist not a nutritionist of extreme! Magnesium Glycinate Chelate is for sore muscles, calming and sleep. Magnesium Citrate for easing bowel tension and getting elimination going.