Are you low in magnesium?
Although we have talked in general about lots of people being low in magnesium, it begs the querstion are you low in Magnesium? Given we can’t take a test, what are the signs you can look for to see if you are low magnesium?
- Anxiety
- Times of hyperactivity
- Difficulty getting to sleep
- Difficulty staying asleep
- Muscle spams and muscle cramping
- Fibromyalgia
- Facial tics
- Eye twitches or involuntary evey movements
In clinic we often see clients who’s muscles are really tight or contracted. Without magnesium in our body our muscles would be in a constant state of contraction. It should be noted that calcium causes our muscles to contract. While calcium and magnesium have actions that oppose each other they function as a team. So you must always consider your calcium levels when considering your magnesium levels.
References
Seelig M, Rosanoff A. The Magnesium Factor. New York: Avery Books; 2003
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Yet more scientific evidence of the benefits of chair massage
A number of studies have identified that nurses experience a range of symptoms indicative of work related stress including
- Headaches
- Shoulder tension
- Fatigue
- Muscle and joint pain
- Overall quality of life
- Self-perceived levels of stress
- Anxiety
- Symptoms relating to anxiety
- improvements in sleeping
- reduction in pain, stress and tension
- reduction in headaches

Mundance superfoods – part 5
My final swap is nettles for spiralina. Spirulina's deep blue-green color reveals its active ingredient — chlorophyll — clearly. Health.com explains it as one of the oldest life forms on Earth and possibly consumed in Aztec and African diets centuries ago. Today it's touted for its ability to strengthen the immune system, reduce fatigue and combat allergies. Nettles are another plant with chlorophyll that even rivals the amount found in spirulina, but they're often found in ditch banks, forests and riverbanks. It's sometimes called "stinging nettle" because it does just that; if you touch it without wearing gloves, the tiny hairs on every surface sting like a bee due to the presence of formic acid, leaving small red welts. But internally, Bon Appetit asserts, it acts like a tonic:
"Taken over time, nettle will strengthen your circulatory, immune, and endocrine systems to promote peak function. The stronger these systems, the better position our bodies are in to deal with whatever might come our way."
Cooked or dried, though, this pesky stinging problem goes away completely; good thing, too, because this free foraging food is highly nutritious, containing fiber, lecithin, chlorophyll, sodium, iron, phosphorus, sulfur, potassium and vitamins A and C, according to Mother Earth News. It's been used in birth rooms and battlefields to stop bleeding, both internally and externally, and is considered to purify blood, as well. As a tea:"It has been found to help cure mucus congestion, skin irritations, water retention and diarrhea … stimulate the digestive glands of the stomach, intestines, liver, pancreas and gall bladder. Applied externally, nettle tea … relieves rheumatism in both people and animals, makes a first-class gargle for mouth and throat infections, helps to clear up acne and eczema and promotes the healing of burns."
To complete the series I want to point out that brocalli is arguably one of the most nutirtious vegatables readily available in supermakets. Not only does it support normal cell function and division, it helps your body detoxify and reduces inflammation and damage from reactive oxygen species (ROS). Another vegatable that I would highly recommend is rocket. It has many of the same nutrients and healing compounds, including fiber, vitamins A, C (to boost the immune system) and K (for bone strength), folate, calcium, potassium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus and manganese that are found in cabbage and brocalli. One study showed that rocket can be a powerful aid against gastrointestinal ulcers, psoriasis and skin, lung and mouth cancers. Many more vitamins and minerals help lower blood pressure and improve blood vessel function. References Bon Appétit July 19, 2017 Health December 27, 2016 Mother Earth News March/April 1981
Does nature restore you? – Part 1
A few years ago now, I moved to London and one of my concerns about moving to London was that I would loose easy access to open green spaces. I have always found that walking through natural green spaces which feel very open have always had a restorative affect on my mental health and general sense of well-being. I know that now I live in London I am very lucky to live within walking distance of Blackheath, so I can still get my "nature top up". My reaction to nature, made me wonder if their is any scientific evidence of the benefits of nature on health. A narrative review from Mount Royal University in Canada looked at how contact with nature could help the emotional & mental well-being of cancer survivors. Researches were encouraged by findings that concluded nature could have a positive impact on the well-being of cancer survivors. Gladwell et al show that lunchtime walks in nature-based environments may provide a greater restorative effect and may improve essential recovery during night-time sleep, potentially enhancing physiological health. While it may be difficult to take a nature-based walk at lunchtime, it is much easier in the summer to take one in the evening. For those of you that may be thinking, "walking through parks is all very well for you Joanne, but where am I going to find the time for that!". Please read on... In 201o researched in the UK looked at evidence from 1,250 people in 10 studies and found fast improvements in mood and self-esteem from green exercise. (Green exercise is defined as activity such as walking, cycling, running, climbing etc in nature). The study found the strongest impact was in young people and just five minutes of green exercises can boost mental health. References Ray H and Jakubec SL (2014) Nature based experiences and health of cancer survivors, Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice 20(4): 188 - 192 Gladwell, V.F.; Kuoppa, P.; Tarvainen, M.P.; Rogerson, M. A Lunchtime Walk in Nature Enhances Restoration of Autonomic Control during Night-Time Sleep: Results from a Preliminary Study. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13, 280. Barton J and Pretty J (2010) What is the Best Dose of Nature and Green Exercise for Improving Mental Health? A Multi-Study Analysis Environ. Sci. Technol., 2010, 44 (10), pp 3947–3955

