Lack of Magnesium Leads to Chronic Disease

Missing the trace mineral Magnesium in your diet can lead to a host of chronic health disorders that are often misdiagnosed. Magnesium is required in over 350 different enzymes, plus hundreds of essential functions in the body. In her informative book, The Miracle of Magnesium, Dr. Carolyn Dean writes that there has been a gradual decline of dietary magnesium in the United States, from a high of 500 mg/day at the turn of the century to barely 175-225 mg/day in 2010. Recommended dose for women over 30 years of age can be 320 mg per day.

Much of the cause for this decline has been linked to industrial farming and food processing. If the soil we grow our food in is lacking essential minerals, than the vegetables, grains, fruits, beans, legumes, seeds, and nuts are lacking those minerals as well. A hefty percentage of magnesium is also lost when removing the bran from grains in the refining process.

According to the National Academy of Sciences, Americans are critically lacking in adequate amounts of magnesium with men receiving only 80 percent of the recommended daily allowance and women receiving only 70 percent. This lack of magnesium can lead to a list of common health disorders. The irony is that many of the pharmaceutical drugs used to treat these conditions only deplete magnesium and other essential minerals further. If you suffer from any of these health conditions or know of someone who does, consult your doctor and have your levels of magnesium checked. Taking supplemental magnesium and eating foods high in the mineral can help to reverse these conditions.

Next: 24 Health conditions caused by a lack of Magnesium.

1 of 3

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

J.L. A.

9:27AM PDT on Apr 8, 2012

good to know!

send a green star

Natasha L.

5:26AM PST on Feb 2, 2012

Thanks

Chris R.

2:00PM PDT on Aug 7, 2011

Good to know. Thanks Delia!~

Trish K.

3:05PM PST on Feb 28, 2011

Thanks. I appear to have a magnesium deficiency. Will let my doc decide.

Lilly A.

7:58PM PST on Feb 12, 2011

Excellent post. good information for those who need it.

Jeanette B.

12:36AM PST on Jan 31, 2011

Excellent post with very useful information!

Gwendolyn K.

5:11PM PST on Jan 23, 2011

Thank-you for this important post. If one receives too much calcium (through diet + supplements) without a proper balance of magnesium it doesn't work as well and may lead to kidney stones in some individuals. The general suggested balance of Magnesium to Magnesium is one part calcium to 2 parts Calcium. But, having extra magnesium appears to do no harm. It is a natural muscle relaxant among it's other important wonderful properties.
Many women benefit from extra magnesium during times of PMS.
Also I have never heard that magnesium deficiency causes fibromyalgia, but fibromyagia is helped by magnesium at least twice a day in addition to proper diet. I find that Magnesium Malate (malic acid) works the best.
By the way, kelp and dulse can be used in soups, stews and casseroles in place of part or all the salt. Some people enjoy it on salad. It is available in dried flakes for convenience.

Sonia S.

10:29AM PST on Jan 19, 2011

very good information!

Jay E.

2:45AM PST on Jan 14, 2011

very interesting indeed

Sue M.

2:11PM PST on Jan 13, 2011

good information here.