How to Correct a Magnesium Deficiency
Although true magnesium deficiencies are rare in the United States, many health care professionals believe Americans run low on stores of magnesium, a key mineral nutrient in our bodies' metabolic processes. According to the NIH, magnesium plays a crucial part in maintaining functioning of muscles, nerves, heart rhythm and bone strength. Low stores may be a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and some cancers.
Instructions
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Steps to Optimum Health
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Purchase a notebook small enough to keep in your purse or a pocket. A 3 x 5 works well. Try keeping a food journal for two weeks, and record everything you eat--including snacks.
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2
Print out the list of magnesium-rich foods from the NIH website or another source. Compare your dietary choices with the list of recommended foods. Check out the RDA (Recommended Daily Allowances) for magnesium on the USDA Agricultural Research site.
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Compare your dietary intake to what is recommended on a daily basis and try adjusting your diet. Keep recording what you eat in your food journal so you can track your progress.
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Tips & Warnings
In a recently completed University of Minnesota study that spanned 15 years, lower levels of magnesium were linked to higher incidences of stroke. According to research by the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, a diet rich in magnesium may lessen the likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes. The Journal of Internal Medicine recommends eating "a diet rich in magnesium-rich foods such as whole grains, beans, nuts and green leafy vegetables, which may reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes."
