The Top 5 Magnesium-Depleting Activities
Did you know that several activities deplete magnesium in your body?
Yes, but before I discuss some of those, let us quickly talk about how this mineral is vital in overall body health.
You see, magnesium can help maintain our energy levels and healthy hearts.
It is also popularly known as a mineral essential for a good night's sleep by naturally relaxing muscles.
With less of it, there's a good chance we might not get a deep and restful slumber our bodies need.
I mean, who doesn't love a more rejuvenating and fantastic sleep?
Unfortunately, getting a good night's sleep is easier said than done for many people.
Perhaps you are a busy mum taking care of your kids and keeping the household running smoothly...
Sometimes, there just isn't enough time in the day to get everything done - never mind getting a complete eight hours of shut-eye.
If sleeping isn’t your issue, maybe you are here because you are experiencing other symptoms of low magnesium.
Things like muscle cramps or spasms, frequent headaches, Irregular heartbeats, constipation and so on…
That is why it is critical to know what depletes magnesium in your body, what blocks magnesium absorption, and what low magnesium symptoms are.
Because the truth is...
Certain activities can sap your body of this vital mineral...
And you might be doing some of these regularly that causes depletion of your magnesium store, making it harder to fall and stay asleep.
So if you're having trouble sleeping, keep on reading to make sure you can make minor adjustments and take steps to counteract their effects so you can get the most out of your sleep.
In this blog post, you will discover The Top Five Magnesium-Depleting Activities.
The first one is…
Extreme Workout
Do you love doing high-intensity exercises? Listen up...
Magnesium is very important for energy production, and when you're working out, your body uses up a lot of it.
After an intense workout, there’s a high probability that magnesium deception can be excessive via urine and feces.
So what can you do to prevent too much depletion of your magnesium stores?
Make sure to replenish what you've lost by drinking plenty of fluids and eating foods high in magnesium, such as leafy greens, nuts, seeds and whole grains.
You might also want to consider taking a Magnesium supplement if you are frequently working out.
But you better consult your healthcare provider first as to how long you should be taking a Magnesium supplement.
Number two on the list is...
Excessive Consumption of Processed Food
Processed foods are generally not good for our health because they're high in unhealthy fats, salt and sugar.
According to a study, too much consumption of refined sugar depletes magnesium in the body.
It's one of what blocks magnesium absorption because high sugar can elevate insulin levels in the blood.
As a result, it decreases magnesium absorption and causes the kidney to excrete this wonder mineral faster.
Not to mention, most of these processed foods also contain very little magnesium.
So what can you do to make sure you're getting enough magnesium?
Aim to eat more whole foods such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds and unprocessed grains.
If you find it hard to cut down on processed foods, you can consider limiting your intake and make sure that you include some of the Magnesium-rich foods in your diet.
On top of that, you can also consider avoiding (or limiting ) alcohol intake.
Simply because alcohol depletes magnesium.
Although it is not part of processed food, drinking too much of it has been reported to lower the total body supply of magnesium.
Next up,
Drinking Too Much Caffeinated Beverages
We all know that caffeine is a stimulant and can cause alertness and energy.
It's not a surprise why a bunch of people rely on coffee or tea to get us through the day.
But what most people don't know is that caffeine depletes magnesium.
How does this happen?
You see, when we drink caffeinated beverages such as coffee, tea or soda, our bodies become stressed, which in turn causes the excretion of magnesium faster than usual.
It means they don't stay in your body as they should.
On top of that, caffeine also stimulates the adrenal glands, resulting in losing a lot of magnesium.
So to prevent losing too much magnesium, try to cut back slowly by replacing them with decaffeinated versions or herbal tea.
Some people are doing that primarily, and you can do the same if you think you're drinking more than one caffeinated beverage a day.
Magnesium supplements are also worth considering if you're genuinely a caffeine-lover.
But again, ask your health care practitioner what's the best step tailored for your needs.
Smoking Cigarettes
We all know smoking is bad for our health.
There are a lot of studies you can find about it.
Cigarette smoking is also associated with depleting magnesium levels in the body.
According to a study published in the journal Biological Trace Element Research, smokers have lower magnesium levels in their blood than non-smokers.
So if you're trying to increase your magnesium levels, quitting smoking would be a great step.
Plus, you'll be doing yourself a lot of good health-wise.
However...
We both know that this isn't an easy decision for some people.
Maybe you can relate, and you think you will find it hard to quit smoking.
Don't worry. It takes time.
There are many ways to help you quit smoking for good, and one common way is by joining a support group. But this will be a separate discussion.
Lastly...
Being Frequently Placed in Stressful Situations
When we talk about stress, we often associate it with being overwhelmed.
We all know that feeling...the constant battle you face daily, whether personal or at work.
As a result, you get anxious. And guess what? Anxiety depletes magnesium.
It literally robs the body from absorbing enough magnesium.
Plus, chronic stress, in general, can take a toll on our health.
It is because when we're stressed, our body secretes a hormone called cortisol.
And cortisol blocks magnesium absorption and leads to its excretion.
You see, any form of stress depletes magnesium in your body.
Having said that, how do you deal with those stressful times when your body needs some much-needed rest?
What can we do?
Luckily there are many ways out there that have been proven helpful in reducing stress. (You may want to check out this blog post about how to relax and unwind)
One way is by practising yoga or meditation.
Both help us focus on our breath and connect with our inner selves, which can be calming.
Another way is by journaling – writing down your thoughts and feelings about what's going on in your life.
It can help you process what's happening and release any bottled-up emotions.
While there are many other ways to reduce stress, the key is to find what works best for you and be consistent with it.
So there you have it!
Those are the top five magnesium-depleting activities that can lead to low magnesium levels in your body.
By being aware of these, you can take reasonable control as far as managing them is concerned.
Now, if you're already taking steps to increase your magnesium levels so you can enjoy the tremendous benefits that it brings, then continue doing so.
The best thing we can do is be mindful of our lifestyle. It will absolutely benefit your health in the long run.
If you're looking for more information about magnesium products, be sure to check our product collections right here.
Whether you want to take advantage of the skin-related benefits of magnesium or its amazing sleep perk, you can choose what you think can help you right now.
That’s all for now on the top five magnesium-depleting activities.
Have you been doing any of these things without realizing how they were impacting your magnesium levels?
If so, it’s not too late to make some changes.
But don't forget, it's best to consult your healthcare provider depending on the extent of change you plan to do.
I hope this information was helpful. Do you have any questions?
We would love to hear from you. Let us know in the comment below!
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