Pagdin's Pick Number Eight: Magnesium

Every organ in the body needs magnesium, especially your heart, muscles, kidneys, and bones. This important mineral also contributes to energy production, and helps regulate the levels of a wide variety of other nutrients, including zinc, copper, calcium, potassium, and
Vitamin D.

Foods rich in magnesium include green leafy vegetables (spinach, kale, broccoli), nuts, and whole grains. Many people do not get enough magnesium from their diets, however, and the lack of magnesium is associated with irritability, restless legs and muscle cramps, irritability and anxiety, poor sleep, abnormal heart rhythms, low blood pressure, confusion, and even seizures. Other factors that can lead to low levels of magnesium include kidney disease, irritable bowel, ulcerative colitis, diabetes, pancreatitis, and the use of diuretics. Drinking too much soda, coffee, or alcohol can also lower magnesium levels.

I don’t bother checking blood levels of magnesium very often, as the vast majority of your total body magnesium is contained in your cells and is not floating around in your serum. Instead, if you have some of the symptoms mentioned above, I recommend supplementing with Magnesium Glycinate or Bisglycinate, at 600 – 1200 mg daily. This is less likely to cause diarrhea than taking a cheaper form called Magnesium Citrate, although this is quite effective also. I find that many people do not get as much as they should from their diet alone.
As usual, you can find a bottle of “Pagdin’s Picks” at any of the following outlets:

1. Lakeside Medicine Centre (Gordon at Guisachan)
2. Prescription Health Studio (540 West Ave, just off Pandosy)
3. Medicine Shoppe (3957 Lakeshore Road)
4. Abaco Health (Gordon at Cook Rd)
5. Nolan’s Pharmasave (Vernon)
6. Summerland Pharmasave

Look for the display at one of these retailers, and enter to win a three-month supply of magnesium!

 
Your partner in Living Longer Better,

Dr. Grant Pagdin, MD