Chronic Stress Depletes Magnesium
We get it, there is no escaping the pressures of modern life. There's not many of us immune to the common stressors; such as financial strain, relationships, pressures at work or school, toxins, diets high in processed foods, and constant Wi-Fi and screen exposure. The main problem is that these assaults to your system are constant; it's actually pretty difficult to remove these stressors from your life.
Extended periods of stress can result in a loss of the important mineral, magnesium, at the time your body needs it most. Ensuring you have good magnesium levels helps make you a warrior during stressful times.
Are You Low in Magnesium?
Fatigue, muscle cramps, headaches and difficulty sleeping are common signs of magnesium deficiency in both adults and children. Pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS) and mood disorders including anxiety, depression, and constant stress are all associated with poor body stores of magnesium.
Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash
Running on Empty – What Causes Low Magnesium?
There are many different factors that contribute to magnesium deficiency, including;
- Inadequate intake from foods.
- Continual stress. As increased levels of stress hormones diminish precious magnesium stores, this can lead to a vicious cycle of magnesium depletion, making it even harder to cope.
- Caffeine, alcohol and certain medications. These increase the loss of magnesium through urination.
The Many Benefits of Magnesium
Being the fourth most abundant mineral in the body, magnesium plays many roles in supporting your health. It helps dampen the effects of stress hormones to promote calming sleep, as well as relaxing muscles and reducing cramping. Magnesium protects your brain from memory loss, improves mood, concentration and learning, and lowers anxiety helping keep you stay calm during stressful times. However, that’s not all this mighty mineral helps with! Magnesium also improves blood sugar control, which can positively impact weight, reduce sugar cravings and support energy levels.
Daily Protection Against Stress
Conserve your magnesium stores by using the following little tricks;
- Reduce caffeine to a maximum of 1 cup per day.
- Increase your consumption of magnesium rich foods e.g. spinach, dark chocolate, avocado, almonds, pumpkin seeds and black beans.
- Minimise your intake of high sugar and processed foods low in nutrients.
- Get a good night’s sleep. This will assist your body in repairing tissues and reducing inflammation caused by stress. To improve sleep quality, ensure your bedroom is cool, dark and quiet; and unplug from electronic devices (e.g. mobile phones, tablets, computer, and TV) 1-2 hours prior to bedtime.
- Exercise regularly to reduce the negative effects of emotional and physical stressors on health.
- Chat to your Healthcare Practitioner if you think you could be low in Magnesium
Thanks Jacqueline. Are you seeing patients? Where are you located? PS: Love you Cleanser – it’s really helped my acne prone skin.
Thanks for sharing Jacqueline.
great article. i have a magnesium supplement and definately notice if i don’t take it. It has also reduced my migraines!!