I ran the Toronto Sporting Life 10K on the weekend and before bed I took some Magnesium to help my achy muscles recover. I thought today that I should really take the opportunity to educate others about all of the uses of Magnesium!
Magnesium is a naturally occurring mineral that is used in over 300 enzymatic reactions in the body including blood glucose regulation, bone formation, muscle & nerve function, heart beat regulation, blood pressure regulation, etc.
Magnesium is found in many foods, the top 5 sources are:
- almonds (by far the best!)
- cashews
- peanuts
- black beans
- avocado
It is rare to be Magnesium deficient, but a low Magnesium diet is linked with all sorts of problem including an increased risk of asthma. A diet high in Magnesium has been shown to be protective against type 2 diabetes, protect against heart disease & high blood pressure, and help prevent osteoporosis. Magnesium is a good, inexpensive supplement that can help fix many problems.
Some of the conditions I may think of treating with Magnesium include:
- PMS
- headaches/migraines
- improving exercise recovery time
- constipation
- high blood pressure
- restless leg syndrome
- osteoporosis
- depression
- diabetes
If you're interested in learning more about whether Magnesium is right for you - please come in and see me or talk to your licensed health care practitioner!
