This evening I was lazily browsing Facebook. Halfway down my home page I noticed a link to an article about how everyone is deficient in magnesium. The person who posted it has a reputation for being on the medical fringe, but I since I didn't want to get up off the couch I clicked the link to see what I could learn.
According to the article, pretty much any illness or symptom could be a sign of magnesium deficiency, and not even trained doctors can notice it. Why is it such a problem? We're poisoned by our food. We're stressed out. We're eating too much sugar. All pretty dramatic stuff.
I was pretty sure most of the facts in the article were a little overblown (especially when it segued into an advertisement for the author's patented supplement which was guaranteed to restore health) and decided to find some more information on the subject. The National Institutes of Health had a much more balanced view of the issue. It said that most people could stand to have more magnesium in their diet, but a deficiency due to low dietary intake in otherwise-healthy people is not common.
I eat a pretty good diet. The only supplement I take (on the advice of my OB) is a combination calcium and Vitamin D tablet. Just to be on the safe side, though, I decided to take a nice hot bath and throw some Epsom salts, otherwise known as magnesium sulfate, in the water. Better to be safe than sorry, right?
Five years ago today: Not Just For Kids
My grandmother trusted Epsom salts for everything!
ReplyDeleteMy chiropractor is a big fan of them, too.
DeleteThen I guess it's time for me to head to the grocery and got some Epsom salt myself. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this info.
You're welcome! Enjoy.
DeleteMy calcium supplement has magnesium. Potassium is the one I have trouble holding on to so I take a heavy duty potassium supplement each day, too. I've been hospitalized twice with potassium/sodium shortage. The dr says, eat more salt. So, I do.
ReplyDeleteMost doctors are telling their patients to cut down on salt. It's interesting you have the opposite issue.
DeleteYes, when my dr said this, she laughingly said, "don't tell anyone I said this; doctors never tell their patients to eat more salt, but you need more." I also drink lots of water.
Deletedidn't realize we were low in magnesium.
ReplyDeleteMaybe you're one of the lucky folks who aren't :-)
DeleteA nice relaxing bath can sure a lot of ills, eh?
ReplyDeleteYes, and some of them are physical :-)
DeleteOnce again I am reminded of how important it is do more research beyond what is posted on FB. And yes, how telling that the piece also included info on his special supplement. I don't take vitamins on a regular basis because I keep forgetting. Silly me. Thanks for the reminder.
ReplyDeleteShall I play Mom and tell you how important it is to take care of yourself?
DeleteMagnesium? I had no idea!
ReplyDelete