There are millions of people around the world who feel that their energy is completely drained when 2 pm comes. So, they want to re-energize right away in order to complete their everyday tasks at work and at home.
In many cases, this sudden lack of energy is associated with their diet which is low in nutrients. But, to be more precise, it is the lack of magnesium that causes most of the trouble.
The Importance of Magnesium
There is no doubt that magnesium is an important mineral that contributes to a wide range of cellular and bodily functions. In addition, this nutrient is part of more than 350 biochemical reactions in the body.
Some of these reactions and functions include the formation of cartilage and bones, proper blood vessel activity, transmission through the nerves, contraction of the muscles, production of hormones, and management and regulation of serotonin and insulin hormones as well as adequate metabolism of vitamins and mineral.
Remember that these are just some of the vital functions in the body where magnesium is participating.
The most common signs of lack of magnesium in the body include:
- RLS (restless leg syndrome)
- Anxiety
- Agitation
- Irritability
- Sleeping problems
- Low blood pressure
- Vomiting and nausea
- Irregular heart rhythms
- Muscle weakness, soreness, and spasm
- Mental confusion
- Insomnia
- Hyperventilation
- Seizures
- Inadequate nail growth
What’s the Connection Between Magnesium and Energy?
So, more than 350 biochemical reactions that occur in the human body share one thing – they need magnesium to create energy in the cells. In every cell, we have there is an organelle known as Mitochondria.
The mitochondria act as a biological engine that supports the conversion of food we consume and nutrients that come with it into the well-known energy currency called ATP.
To put it simply, ATP acts as cash. In case your pocket is full of cash, you will be able to conduct many activities and experience many things. In case you don’t have so much cash, you will have to satisfy with less.
So, magnesium is the ATM. Once you get a pay cheque, you should visit the bank and get cash there.
If there is no ATM, the bank won’t be able to help you because the pay cheque could not be cashed. That’s how our body works. The food you consume can’t be turned into energy or ATP without the presence of a certain amount of magnesium in the cells.
Magnesium and Digestion
Lack of magnesium leads to lower production of energy. This is something that you can notice in the process of digestion too because low levels of magnesium usually lead to constipation as well as to low transit time. Average adult Americans have a bowel movement of food they’ve consumed around four days ago.
The best transit time is between 18 and 24 hours. If the food stays longer in the gut it usually leads to inflammation and accumulation of toxins in the microbiome.
How to Improve the Level of Magnesium in the Body
In case you are dealing with constipation or you feel that your energy levels are low after noon, it is very likely that you need more magnesium. The good news is that there are many foods that are rich in magnesium and you should start taking these foods right away.
Here are a few examples of magnesium-rich foods: bananas, avocados, wild caught fish, green leafy veggies like chard, kale, and spinach, other veggies like broccoli, seeds, and nuts like flax, cashews, Brazil nuts and almonds and dark chocolate.
In case the level of magnesium in your body is low, and you are dealing with constipation and/or low energy, avoid refined and processed foods.
Unfortunately, 83% of magnesium content is stripped off to make white rice, 80% of it is eliminated out of wheat to create a standard white flour and 97% of it is removed to create corn starch.
Stick to unrefined, whole foods whenever you are preparing food in order to improve the intake of magnesium and other important nutrients.
Without any doubt, magnesium plays an important role in the cellular functions and in the production of energy. The body is not designed to stop working at 2 pm.
Consume nutrient-rich foods in order to avoid a situation where you will feel exhausted. In this way, you will be able to finish all your duties at work and at home.
Source: The Hearty Soul