People get magnesium through diet, drinking water, and/or supplements. We don’t produce it in the body. Abundant in leafy green vegetables such as kelp and spinach, magnesium is also found in almonds, cashews, pumpkin seeds, beans, tofu, figs, apricots and bananas. Mineral-rich hard drinking water contains magnesium. Softened or bottled water usually don’t.
Since soil is becoming increasingly magnesium deficient, and cooking and processing leach magnesium from foods, supplementation in conjunction with a healthy diet is what I recommend.
Taken regularly, magnesium can help maintain healthy blood pressure, and may also contribute to reversing arterial plaques and prevent insulin resistance. Inside cells, the biggest magnesium concentration is found in the mitochondria (the power plants within cells). All enzymatic reactions involving ATP (the fuel that drives the cellular machinery) have an absolute requirement for magnesium. Magnesium is also involved in pain management, skin integrity, and calming the nervous system.
Magnesium deficiency is very common. Chronic emotional and physical stress deplete magnesium. Chelated forms of magnesium, such as glycinate, taurinate, and orotate, are best absorbed.
Transdermal magnesium (absorbed through the skin) is a viable alternative to oral supplements. One way to raise magnesium levels is to soak in a water containing 2 cups of magnesium sulfate (Espsom salts). Instead of soaking in a tub of Epsom salt solution, some may choose to apply a teaspoon or so of magnesium chloride (MgCl) to the skin..
The only contraindication for magnesium is kidney failure or insufficiency or situations where hearts already beat at a slow rate, at less than 60 beats per minute. Even when using transdermal magnesium it is always a good idea to start with a low doses and work one's way gradually to higher doses.
Conclusion: In addition to consuming leafy green vegetables and fruits, consider supplementing with at least 400 mg. of magnesium orotate.
