What You Need to De-Stress this Holiday Season

Most of us don't have enough of this critical mineral--in fact the number is close to 80% of our population. In addition, there are many things that depletes the magnesium you have and at the top of the list is stress. Yes, the more stress you put on your body, the more often it has to release magnesium to calm it down to get back to balance (magnesium is a known relaxant). So, got stress, especially during this crazy time of year? Take magnesium. If you think you're not sure that you are deficient, take a look at this condensed list of magnesium deficient symptoms and diseases:

• Abnormal heart rhythms
• ADHD
• Allergies
• Anger
• Anxiety
• Arteriosclerosis
• Asthma
• Blood clots
• Bowel disease
• Brain fog
• Calcium deficiency
• Cardiac infarction
• Chronic Back Pain
• Chronic fatigue syndrome
• Cluster headache
• Constipation
• Cystitis and bladder spasms
• Depression
• Diabetes
• Elevated C-reactive protein
• Eye twitches
• Fatigue
• Fibromyalgia
• Heart disease
• Heart Palpitations
• Hypertension or high blood pressure
• Hypoglycemia
• Infertility
• Insomnia
• Irritability
• Kidney disease
• Kidney stones
• Low blood pressure
• Memory problems
• Menstrual pain and cramps
• Migraine
• Muscle aches and spasms
• Osteoporosis
• Panic attacks
• Polycystic ovarian disease
• Personality changes
• Potassium deficiency
• PMS
• Raynaud's syndrome
• Restless leg syndrome
• Sleep disorders
• Stroke
• Tendonitis
• Tinnitus
• Tremor of the hands
• Tooth decay
• Twitching

Yes, magnesium is so critical for the body as it affects 80% of the body's biochemistry. However, often we unknowingly take drugs/products that rob us of our magnesium reserves. Ironically, you will see that many of the drugs listed below are taken for the very same diseases that may result from low magnesium--and taking them actually may make it worse! Carolyn Dean, M.D. is the author of The Magnesium Miracle and magnesium expert. She lists below as common magnesium robbers:

• Birth control pills
• Bronchodilators (for asthma)
• cocaine
• corticosteroids (for asthma)
• Digitalis (for some heart conditions)
• Diuretics9for high blood pressure)
• Fluoride based drugs (and fluoride products)
• Insulin
• Nicotine
• Proton pump inhibitors (for acid reflux)
• Stains (for cholesterol)
• tetracycline and certain other antibiotics

While many of us would ideally like to replenish our magnesium reserves by eating magnesium rich foods, it just won't do the trick in today's world of overused and under mineralized soil. This translates to much less magnesium in our crops. So, supplementation is usually suggested. However beware what kind of magnesium you take as there is quite a variety and it can become quite confusing. Magnesium citrate is typically used for constipation and will not help out much in replenishing your body. Magnesium oxide is only 4% absorbable, which is the most common type of magnesium, so I don't necessary recommend that form. The most absorbable types of magnesium are ionic or Dr. Dean's brand of ReMag or magnesium theonate or magnesium glycinate, which are much more absorbable. I recommend about 500 mg at night as it will also help you sleep much better:). Put magnesium on your gift wish list to get the gift of health this holiday season!