When’s the last time you had boiled swiss chard?

Never?

Yeah, I thought so. Me either.

Boiled swiss chard, along with black beans, Halibut, pumpkin seeds, boiled spinach, and a few more whole foods have a common denominator: they are high in Magnesium!

Magnesium is so essential. Every second of the day, your body is using magnesium to function. Hundreds of processes in your body require this powerful nutrient.

But here’s the thing: only half of the American population is eating enough of the right foods. Most of us are deficient! If you choose to add in more magnesium-rich foods OR if you choose to add in a supplement, here are some changes you might notice:

1. You might notice that you’re less anxious & less depressed. Magnesium is essential in the creation of serotonin (the happy hormone). One study (read it here) showed that a magnesium supplement works as an effective treatment for mild-to-moderate depression. Even if you don’t struggle with these particular mood disorders, the positive effect magnesium has on your nervous system can even just lift your brain fog.

2. You might avoid the effects of chronic inflammation. Chronic inflammation causes aging, disease, and weight gain. Every cell in your body needs magnesium to function well. When you give your body the tools it needs, it can set into motion the healing that needs to happen. In addition, you can look for improved joint function & mobility.

3. Your PMS might improve or even vanish. Magnesium is actually an electrolyte, meaning it helps your body stay at a healthy hydration level. As a result, you’ll see an improvement in water retention, bloating, and cramping. Digestive health, muscle health, and brain/mood health, here we come!

4. You might notice that you fall asleep faster & wake refreshed. Since magnesium creates feelings of calm & helps your muscles relax, it’s no surprise that it’s included in many natural sleep-aids. It helps promote dreaming by increasing your chances of getting into R.E.M. sleep. If you take ONE thing from this blog post: Try magnesium before you reach for melatonin.

I trust the brands I carry. I love Standard Process EZMag because it’s food-sourced, so it contains multiple forms of magnesium. It’s my favorite product to suggest if a patient would like to take a magnesium supplement for general wellness.

If someone is looking at magnesium to help with a specific concern, I might recommend a specific form of magnesium (citrate, glycinate, or carbonate are a few). Each form works differently. By all means, speak to myself or your primary care provider to get personal recommendations. Let’s chat about it next time you’re in!