This may seem like a strange statement, but it is so very true: Magnesium can change your life!
One of the most crucial nutrients for mental health is the humble mineral magnesium. Magnesium is involved in over three hundred actions in the human body, many of which are brain-related, making it a true “rock star” of optimal mental health.
Unfortunately, most Americans now suffer from magnesium deficiency due to the inferior nutritional status of our soil caused by factory farming and the standard American diet, which consists mainly of processed foods that are void of many vitamins and minerals. This perfect storm puts millions of people, particularly children, who tend to avoid foods that are high in magnesium, at risk of developing magnesium deficiency and mental distress.
Inadequate levels of magnesium correlate with numerous health problems such as heart disease, diabetes, and neuromuscular diseases such as chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia. Magnesium deficiency has also been implicated in diseases of cognitive function, such as Alzheimer’s disease, as well as serious mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety, and ADHD. In fact, in one alarming report, magnesium deficiency was found in ninety-five percent of the children with ADHD who were tested for the study.
As alarming as these statistics are, there is some good news: increased intake of magnesium by ingestion and floating has been shown in clinical studies to decrease symptoms of mental distress in both children and adults.
Magnesium has neuroprotective effects:
- It helps maintain proper levels of magnesium, which supports brain health.
- Low magnesium is linked to a risk of neurological and psychiatric disorders.
- Magnesium regulates calcium homeostasis, modulates NMDA receptors, and supports neurotransmissions, making it a promising aid in treating neurological disorders.
Understanding Magnesium and Anxiety, Depression, and Other Mental Health Issues
Magnesium plays a crucial role in nerve function, mood regulation, and stress response within the body. It’s involved in over three hundred enzymatic reactions, making it indispensable for overall health. Research suggests that magnesium deficiency may contribute to anxiety symptoms, as this mineral influences neurotransmitter pathways and hormone regulation linked to stress.
Here’s what the evidence from scientific research says:
- Studies have found correlations between low magnesium levels and increased anxiety symptoms. A systematic review published in the scientific journal Nutrients in 2017 highlighted that magnesium supplementation can improve subjective anxiety measures in vulnerable populations.
- Another study from Nutrients in 2020 states that magnesium is essential “in many functions within the central nervous system, including transmission and intracellular signal transduction. Several studies have shown its usefulness in neurological and psychiatric diseases. Furthermore, it seems that magnesium levels are lowered in the course of several mental disorders, especially depression.”
- Magnesium regulates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, which controls the body’s response to stress. By modulating cortisol levels and enhancing gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) activity—a neurotransmitter that promotes relaxation—magnesium may exert anxiolytic (anxiety-reducing) effects.
How to Incorporate Magnesium
- Dietary Sources: Incorporate magnesium-rich foods such as leafy greens, nuts, seeds, and whole grains into your diet
- Floating: Floating introduces a large amount of magnesium to your body, which is utilized both physically and mentally. Studies have shown that a one-hour floating session can provide the body with the same amount or greater than infusion. For typically healthy people, a float twice a month can significantly increase their health. Those with diagnosed ailments usually see a large difference by starting to float once a week and then switching to twice a month when their magnesium level improves.
While magnesium shows promise as a supportive therapy for all autoimmune diseases along with anxiety and related situations, it’s essential to approach its use with informed guidance and awareness of individual needs.
Come be part of the solution to a healthy life at Fort Myers Cloud 9 Float Spa today! Lynn Brewer, co-owner of Cloud9 Float Spa & Wellness Center, located at 13710 Metropolis Ave., Suite 104, Fort Myers, FL 33912.
Contact us today for your next appointment! Call 239.887.4161, email: [email protected], and visit: www.c9floatspa.com. SWFL’s Only Float Spa.