Magnesium

I take Nexium and one of the side effects is lower magnesium levels. It causes constipation and irritability. I also have a low vit D level.

It's been said that instead of worrying about cholesterol, we should be concentrating on magnesium levels.

Look at dr Oz's site. He recommends taking magnesium with calcium.

Lots of lab tests show people to be low in this vitamin or that mineral. However, food science has proven that just adding a missing nutrient is not an efficient way to build up those levels. Nutrients (vitamins, minerals, trace elements, etc.) do not function well in isolation, so taking a bottle of this or a swallow of that is expensive and with negligible results. Every element needs a whole host of "partners" for absorption and effective utilization. Any other approach is just a waste of money and can, in fact, cause more problems. Most good doctors will admit that they had no nutritional training in medical school so I'd be wary of anyone who doesn't.

No matter what a person is low in, the best way to counteract it is with a comprehensive (70+ ingredients in proper proportion) in a highly absorbable form. You want bioavailability (absorption, surviving the digestive process, easy uptake), synergism (proper blend), optimal nutrient levels (absolutely NOT the old RDIs which are usually bare minimums), and guaranteed quality ingredients (no warning labels, analysis for purity, patents, and approved for sale in countries with very strict regulatory agencies (for more than the US).

The key is cellular nutrition - getting the nutrients into the individual cells where the real work of the body occurs. What you swallow is immaterial - what you absorb is key.

When magnesium levels are low - things like leg and foot cramps happen.

You lose magnesium in your body when you consume too much:
alcohol
sugar
processed foods

Why do you need magnesium? Well, it's a mineral that our body uses for MANY different things...

Our bones use it...helps keep them strong
Our heart uses it...magnesium helps with muscle contraction
Helps our body absorb vitamin D.

If you have low magnesium, you might be experiencing
irritability
muscle spasms
headaches
insomnia

Magnesium is an important mineral - just like potassium - that work to keep our bodies functioning!!

Pop drains our body's magnesium, I drink a can of pop a day and was just googling this yesterday. I'm sure there are many other things that cause us to have low levels.

We need magnesium for many uses. If you google foods that are high in magnesium you'll see there are a lot of them. It helps us use calcium or vice versa.

Low Magnesium can cause a loss of potassium, which can affect your kidneys,and heart. Magnesium is needed for muscles, the nervous system and cardiovascular system. It is also helpful for your bones.Calcium doesn't metabolize well without magnesium. It helps maintain blood pressure and helps prevent Metabolic Syndrome.Deficeincies can cause irrability to an irregular heartbeat, its also been shown to assist in your energy level,it can also help prevent seizures according to some studies.

I'm not sure but when I was on a very low calorie diet supervised by a Dr., she told me I had to take a magnesium supplement or I would get constipated. So being low in magnesium, I suppose could result in that.

The only thing I know about magnesium is that they put me me on an IV drip of it during the delivery of my daughter because I had pre-eclampsia (high blood pressure issue...) and they said it was to reduce the risk of seizure and to control my BP.

Not sure how it applies when not pregnant.

Due to a host of surgeries, I get cramps in my left foot. I try to eat regular portions of raw spinach, kale, avocado, and bananas.

Magnesium has a lot to do with muscle function. Some people with low magnesium experience headaches. Others may have muscle spasms.

Did your doctor do a blood test and find your magnesium was low?

Mine never tests low, but I do suffer from a very intermittent muscle spasm in my one shoulder blade. I take Magnesium Chloride on a daily basis to try to keep things running smoothly. (Magnesium Chloride is a more 'digestive' friendly application because it is mixed with calcium and slowly releases throughout the day.)

When I do suffer (and I mean suffer) from a spasm, I do increase my magnesium intake and take it more often throughout the day. The regular magnesium is more of an instant release but can cause diarrhea in some.

There is also a Magnesium Oxide but I do not have any personal experience with it.

Talk to your doctor and see what he/she recommends for your situation.