By Dr. Wendy Henrichs

Board Certified Chiropractic Pediatrician and Nutrition Counselor

Minerals are part of your foundation for overall health and well-being. They help to ignite the batteries of your cells called mitochondria. Your mitochondria produce energy and without minerals, your energy production will be low leaving you feel tired and fatigued. This is also because minerals nourish your adrenal and thyroid glands, the glands that contribute to your metabolism.

More than 50% of Americans are deficient in magnesium. Magnesium is important for many processes in the body, including regulating muscle and nerve function, blood sugar levels, and blood pressure as well as making protein, bone and DNA. It is necessary to activate Vitamin D. If you are deficient, you may increase your risk of anxiety, depression, heart disease, migraine headache and osteoporosis to name a few. Calcification of your arteries is one of the first signs of a long-term deficiency.

There are things that can affect your absorption of magnesium. Carbonated beverages and soft drinks as the phosphates bind to magnesium preventing absorption; alcohol consumption; lack of sleep; prescription drug use-especially diuretics, statins, fluoride, and fluoride-containing drugs such as fluoroquinolone antibiotics; elevated insulin levels; heavy sweating; stress; excess coffee consumption; excess salt intake; parasite infestation; and heavy menstruation.

Signs that you are deficient in magnesium:

• Loss of appetite

• Nausea and vomiting

• Fatigue and weakness

• Shaking

• Pins and needles

• Muscle spasms

• Hyperexcitability or feeling anxious

• Feeling tired all the time

• Abnormal heart rhythms

It is always best to get your nutrients from whole foods rich in magnesium. Enjoy magnesium rich foods daily. The best sources of magnesium include spinach, Swiss chard, avocado, papaya, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, bok choy, beet greens, turnip greens, seeds and nuts such as pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, cashews and raw almonds, fatty fish like wild-caught Alaskan salmon, dried seaweed or agar.

Often though you do not get enough from your food so you should consider supplementing it with magnesium L-threonate trademarked as Magtein, as this gets to all parts of your body including your brain. Other forms of magnesium such as magnesium citrate and glycinate do not penetrate the blood brain barrier.

Magnesium is an essential mineral for your brain and body to produce energy and absorb vitamin D along with a multitude of other functions. Your cells and body will not perform at their best for you without magnesium. If you want to feel more energized, have more mental clarity and concentration, and improve your health as you age, eat foods rich in magnesium daily and take Magtein for added benefits. Remember, it is never too late to make a shift in health.

Dr. Wendy Henrichs is a board certified chiropractor and nutrition counselor at Timber Land Chiropractic in Rhinelander. For a complimentary chiropractic, nutrition or lifestyle counseling consultation, visit Timberland Chiropractic.com, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, or call 715-362-4852.