Taking regular doses of vitamins and supplements not only keeps you feeling great on the inside, but they can help you look fantastic on the outside as well. From shiny hair to stronger skin and nails, supplements have many proven health benefits.
One of the best supplements that anyone who is looking to establish a healthier lifestyle can take is magnesium. Those who have a vested interest in naturopathic medicine likely already know the amazing health benefits of magnesium, but even if you have never taken a mineral supplement in your life, it is never too late to get started.
Here are five of the ways magnesium can improve your overall health and wellness and keep you living your best life.
1. Magnesium Can Boost Your Immune System
With viruses and flu bugs running rampant during the springtime months, it is more important than ever to take the necessary steps to protect your immune system and prevent illness. While washing your hands, avoiding sick people, and staying active can all play an important role in staying healthy and well, there are specific things that you can eat that can also help prevent sickness.
Magnesium is proven to have positive effects on the immune system and can help you steer clear of seasonal colds and viruses. Magnesium can be taken in supplement form, and there are also some foods that are particularly rich in magnesium. A few delicious, magnesium-rich foods include:
- Avocados
- Dark chocolate
- Nuts (such as almonds and cashews)
- Beans and lentils
- Pumpkin seeds
- Bananas
- Dark, leafy greens
All of these foods are easy to find at any supermarket, and most are simple and relatively inexpensive additions to your weekly diet. Try snacking on a handful of delicious, roasted pumpkin seeds during your mid-day slump or integrating a few handfuls of leafy greens into your next pot of hearty soup or stew.
Bananas are also a popular choice with those seeking to add extra magnesium into the mix and are especially delicious with a dollop of protein-packed peanut butter, or a few dark chocolate chips. Add any one of these foods to your diet and start enjoying all the immune-boosting health benefits of magnesium.
2. Magnesium Helps to Regulate Blood Pressure
Many people of all ages suffer from high blood pressure and hypertension. While your doctor might prescribe medication to help keep your blood pressure at a safe level, there are additional things that you can do to reduce negative side effects and stay as healthy as possible. Introducing a magnesium supplement into your diets, such as liquid magnesium or calcium magnesium powder, can help to keep your blood pressure at a stable level. I
n addition to ingesting a magnesium supplement and magnesium-rich foods, make sure that you are getting enough calcium and potassium in your diet – the combination of the three minerals is best for maintaining healthy blood pressure.
3. Fight Depression With Magnesium
If you suffer from depression, you are not alone. Depression can affect anyone, regardless of age, social status, income level, or industry. While experts recommend working to treat depression by talking to a licensed therapist or psychiatrist, introducing the superhero nutrition that magnesium provides into your body has been proven to help treat depression.
In one study done among older adults, 450 mg of magnesium, taken daily, helped to significantly reduce depression symptoms through mood improvement. Although experts agree that more research is needed on the health benefits of magnesium on depression, there’s no doubt that it can make a difference in some people’s lives when it comes to treating and managing the often-difficult symptoms of depression. Plus, eating healthy foods that are rich in magnesium can give you more energy and make you feel better from the inside out, which might also help to treat the debilitating symptoms of depression, such as intense headaches and low energy levels.
4. Diabetics Can Benefit From Magnesium
Those who deal with the often-difficult symptoms of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes should definitely look into the health benefits of magnesium. Magnesium aids in regulating blood sugar by helping to moderate the insulin reaction to blood sugar levels. In fact, many diabetics have undiagnosed magnesium deficiencies, making it vital to introduce extra magnesium into your diet.
Plus, foods that are rich in magnesium are often diabetic-friendly, such as dark, leafy greens (think kale or fresh spinach), seeds, and legumes. Adding any or all of these foods into your diet, along with a supplement such as liquid magnesium, can help to give you steady energy throughout the day as well as keep your blood pressure at a safe, healthy level.
5. Magnesium Can Help Relieve Muscle Cramps
Experts in naturopathic medicine know that magnesium can positively affect nearly every area of the body, including the muscles. Athletes and competitors often take calcium and magnesium powder to help strengthen their bones as well as help to prevent painful muscle cramps. Magnesium deficiency in the body is known to cause problems like chronic leg cramps, so loading up on the supplement can help keep everything, including kidneys and bladder functions, running much smoother.
In addition, getting in your daily dose of magnesium can help to prevent migraine headaches, a painful condition that affects many people all over the world. Ultimately, even if you don’t suffer from any of the above conditions, taking magnesium on a regular basis can help your whole body feel better and prevent the sudden onslaught of a wide variety of medical issues.
There is a whole world of naturopathic medicine that is waiting for you to explore, and enable you to strengthen your mind-body connection. If you have any questions about the health benefits of magnesium or other health supplements, contact Karen Threlkel, a naturopathic doctor serving the Washington DC, Virginia, and Maryland areas. From nutritional supplementation to detoxification, Dr. Threlkel can help address hormonal issues for women of all ages and set you on the path to living a more balanced, fulfilling life.
