Anxiety & Magnesium

Anxiety can affect our lives dramatically. In a time when our society is more stressed than perhaps ever before, feelings of anxiety have become an everyday occurrence in many people's lives. Anxiety disorders are also becoming evermore prevalent. Because of this, natural anxiety remedies are more relevant than ever. Magnesium (Mg), a vital mineral nutrient is perhaps one of the most important natural anxiety remedies because of its effectiveness, record of safe use, availability and value.

Anxiety impairs concentration and causes sleeplessness, it increases the risk for illness, chronic back problems and even fatal accidents. Truly, anxiety can damage your mentally, physically & emotionally.

Although there are numerous anxiety medications in the market today, these medications can only relieve some of the symptoms of anxiety and are not a long-term solution. Anxiety medications come with a long list of side effects and safety concerns, not the least of which is the risk of drug dependence.

Side effects of anti-anxiety medications include low libido, constipation, dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, fatigue, trouble concentrating and many more. We should not have to live with these terrible side effects, nor should we be subjected to being overwhelmed by anxious feelings. Fortunately, magnesium offers a safe & effective solution for anxiety, without side effects.

Magnesium contributes to over 375 processes throughout the human body and is used by our bodies to make over 300 different enzymes!

Mental and physical stress, with its related continuous flow of adrenaline, uses up magnesium rapidly, as adrenaline affects heart rate, blood pressure, vascular constriction and muscle contractions, actions that all demand steady supplies of magnesium for smooth function. The nervous system depends upon sufficient magnesium for its calming effects, including restful sleep. Hibernating animals, by the way, maintain very high levels of magnesium. Magnesium deficiency will accelerate a vicious cycle and amplify the effects of chronic stress, leading to more anxiety, irritability, fatigue & insomnia--many of the symptoms of adrenal exhaustion--as well as to hypertension and heart pains--symptoms of heart disease. Staying in the anxious state also causes the body to use up greater quantities of magnesium.

A magnesium deficiency can cause or worsen symptoms of anxiety. Magnesium naturally calms the nervous system and the muscles (leg cramps at night/restless leg syndrome?); whereas, a deficiency can result in a tense body and an anxious mind.

Eating foods that are rich in magnesium is an important step in correcting a deficiency naturally. Magnesium can be found most abundantly in coconut water, kelp, cashews, buckwheat, molasses, brazil nuts, pumpkin seeds, cocoa powder, rice bran, nettles, spinach, coffee, purslane, swiss chard, almonds, avocado, bananas, almonds, peanut butter, raisins, oatmeal, halibut, cooked black-eyed peas, baked potato with skin, natural plain yogurt, cooked lentils, sea vegetables, chickweed, bone broths, whole grains -- as refined grains remove 80-97% of magnesium. Oh my goodness, look at all the magnesium rich foods out there!!!

Those with anxiety will often benefit from magnesium supplementation. The optimum daily amount should be between 500-700 mg and depending on if you need more, work your way up. Too much magnesium can cause loose stools & may signify your body isn't absorbing it properly. Try smaller doses throughout the day. Most people find that 400-800 mg taken in divided doses helps to ease their anxiety symptoms considerably.

Magnesium citrate, magnesium glycinate & magnesium chloride are among the most absorbable forms. Magnesium oil & epsom salts can also be used externally to boost magnesium levels.

Information provided by the internet, NaturalNews.com & WestonAPrice.org