It’s amazing how a shortage of just one nutrient can have such a huge impact on your health. The standard American diet has changed drastically over the last few decades, causing a rise in health problems that were rarely seen before. Chronic nutrient deficiencies are commonplace now, leaving many people in a state of poor health.
Magnesium is one of the most common nutritional deficiencies. It can be very difficult to get from food sources and, unfortunately, the body relies heavily on magnesium for many important processes. Find out if you have a magnesium deficiency and how you can get back on the road to health.
Why Is It So Hard to Get Enough Magnesium?
There are a few different reasons that magnesium deficiency is so common.
- Overprocessing foods has decreased the amount of magnesium found in our ingredients. Scientists note an 80% loss of magnesium in white flour, 24% in vegetables, and 83% in rice, since 1940 for example.
- People are consuming more dairy than ever. A diet high in calcium and phosphorous requires your body to need more magnesium, researchers explain. The amount of magnesium each person needs is not a universal amount, so many people might think they’re getting enough, but because of their diet and lifestyle choices, they’re falling short.
- Exposure to aluminum makes absorbing magnesium harder. The average 21st-century adult is exposed to aluminum on a practically daily basis; between cookware, deodorants, and even medication, it’s hard to avoid. Aluminum interferes with your body’s ability to absorb magnesium- up to 5 times, in fact!
- You’re simply not consuming enough magnesium-rich foods in your diet. Magnesium is found naturally in foods like dark leafy greens, mackerel, nuts, seeds, and beans — all foods that don’t play a big role in today’s commonly unhealthy diets. You can also find it in specific supplements or pure magnesium oil.
Additional factors include gastrointestinal disorders, such as Crohn’s; renal disorders; heavy consumption of alcohol; and being a senior. Each of these can increase the risk of magnesium deficiency.