Magnesium Deficiency and Absorption

Magnesium Deficiency

By Coach Jonathan Wong, Personal Trainer and Performance Expert

Take the following quiz…

* Do you have trouble falling asleep?

* Do you wake up feeling un-rested/quality of sleep is low?

* Do you have high stress or consume large amounts of carbohydrates (these lower magnesium

levels)

* Do you exercise a great deal?

* Do you store fat easily when you eat starchy foods (insulin resistance)?

* Do you have muscle cramps often?

These are signs of magnesium deficiency, it’s very common so don’t feel bad! It’s not your fault. Low stomach acid, high stress and heavy exercise can all contribute to this situation.

The main benefit of sufficient magnesium is a high quality level of sleep. This is the first thing I look at and suggest when a client complains of poor sleep quality. Supplement with magnesium citrate for best results.

Magnesium Absorption

By Carolyn Dean, MD, ND

The amount of magnesium your tissues can readily use is based on the amount of elemental or ionic magnesium that is released. There are several organic salt chelates that are highly absorbable such as magnesium citrate, taurate and malate. Two forms to avoid are magnesium aspartate and glutamate. Aspartate breaks down into the neurotransmitter aspartic acid, which without being bound to other amino acids is neurotoxic. Glutamate also breaks down into the neurotransmitter glutamic acid, which without being bound to other amino acids is also neurotoxic. Both are components of aspartame which should also be avoided.

Magnesium is the anti-stress mineral and is known to alleviate stress, depression, anxiety and insomnia something we all need in these tough and stressful economic times. One of the most absorbable forms of nutritional magnesium is magnesium citrate powder which can be taken with hot or cold water.