This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Health & Fitness

Magnesium – Are You Deficient?

I am an LPN who ate my way back to health. Read my continuing story about researching a different kind of nutrition. I used food as my medicine.


Most people are not aware of their bodies need for the essential mineral magnesium.  In fact, when I say Magnesium most people will think of a science and a chemical element.

But if I mention a common health problem like acid indigestion, or constipation and then mention an over the counter product name like Milk of Magnesia, the mineral magnesium makes a little more sense.

Magnesium- An Essential Mineral

Find out what's happening in Woodbridgewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Magnesium may be overlooked but it is in fact an essential mineral for the body to function. According to a researcher from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; “Magnesium is one of the most important minerals to supplement, as most of us do not get enough.”  Without this mineral the body will not function. Magnesium relaxes the smooth muscles within the blood vessels promoting lower blood pressure and a healthy cardio system. Magnesium has also been shown to beneficially impact insulin resistance and improve the metabolic profile.

Magnesium is twice as important as its complementary minerals Calcium, vitamin D3 and K2.  Modern medicine may overlook the use of magnesium because it is a supplement and not a medicine, but since the 1930’s, hospitals ICU and the Emergency Rooms use IV magnesium to treat life threating conditions. Conditions like out of control Blood Pressure, Heart attack, and Pregnancy pre-eclampsia. 

Find out what's happening in Woodbridgewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The Standard American Diet (SAD) is deficient in magnesium

Most modern western diets are extremely deficient in magnesium. Processed foods, meat, and dairy have no magnesium. Magnesium is quickly depleted from the body during times of stress and with the consumption of alcohol and coffee.  Nutritional imbalances exist for nearly everyone who has either a mental or illness disorder. Too much processed, junk food and not enough healthy nutrition causes magnesium destroying inflammation and stress to the body.

Click here for further research including foods and symptoms.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?