Your mental health problems could be caused by this nutrient deficiency, which is common among the population.

Your mental health problems could be caused by this nutrient deficiency, which is common among the population.

Our modern day diets are deficient of a vital nutrient for the brain – magnesium.

Previous generations had a ready supply of this vital mineral in seafood, mineral water, organic meat, and swimming in the fresh saltwater sea.

The Root Causes of Magnesium Deficiency

Magnesium is found abundantly in beans, whole grains, legumes seeds and nuts, leafy greens as well as molasses and cocoa, yet the population has a magnesium deficiency. How is this possible?

Soil Depletion

One of the main reasons is the depletion of the soil. Agricultural practices diminish magnesium supply in the soil and do not replace it. Due to this, our core foods like whole grains lack magnesium. According to a Crop Journal statement on magnesium:

“Importance as a macronutrient ion has been overlooked in recent decades by botanists and agriculturists, who did not regard Mg deficiency in plants as a severe health problem. However, recent studies have shown, surprisingly, that Mg contents in historical cereal seeds have markedly declined over time, and two-thirds of people surveyed in developed countries received less than their minimum daily Mg requirement.” [1]

Food Processing

Food processing is another main cause that strips magnesium from foods.

Stress

Our society’s twenty-four hour emotional and physical stress syndrome drains magnesium from the body. The body needs magnesium to respond to stress effectively.

Medications and Toxic Intake

Some medications, as well as alcohol, caffeine and soft drinks, deplete magnesium from the body.

Does a Slight Magnesium Deficiency  even matter?

Magnesium has a role in biochemical functions in the body. It is needed for cell transportation and helping to make cells to create energy. The reservoir for magnesium is the bones. Magnesium acts as a counter ion for potassium in the muscle cells and heart. If magnesium gets too low, there will be muscle cramps and conditions like arrhythmia (irregular heartbeats).Ion regulation is needed for muscles to contract and nerves to send signals.
Sodium and potassium balance in the brain. Magnesium is just as important for the brain. According to research, a Medical Hypothesis article titled, Rapid recovery from major depression using magnesium treatment, the mineral magnesium is essential for people who struggle with mental health problems.
Magnesium is the remedy for anxiety, depression, apathy, insecurity, headaches, restlessness, sulkiness, and talkativeness.
Wacker and Parisi claimed magnesium deficiency causes mental health problems, such as depression together with behavioral disturbances, headaches, muscle cramps, psychosis, seizures, ataxia, psychosis, as well as irritability.
All of this is reversible with a sufficient magnesium supply. Restoring magnesium is essential to emotional and mental well-being, as well as a behavioral balance.
[1]  Guo W., et al. Magnesium deficiency in plants: An urgent problem. The Crop Journal, Volume 4, Issue 2, April 2016, Pages 83-91.
By Nena T.