Please note: This article contains my personal opinions and experiences. It is not to be used as medical advice. To seek medical advice, I suggest connecting with a Functional Medicine doctor.
I struggled with anxiety my whole life. Specifically from my teenage years through my early twenties, I also had a hard time achieving quality sleep at night and feeling refreshed when I woke up. I eventually found out that this was linked to an undiagnosed and untreated autoimmune disease. I also learned that some of my symptoms were due to underlying hormone imbalances and macronutrient deficiencies.
Little did I know I was not alone in this struggle. Magnesium is one of the most common nutrient deficiencies that people have, yet so many are walking around not even knowing that they are lacking it. In fact, nearly half of the American population is experiencing a deficiency in Magnesium.
Interestingly enough, one of the biggest reasons for this deficiency is that our soil today is much different than it was in the past. In addition, modern farming and processed foods have reduced the amount of magnesium available through our nutrition. Another factor to consider is that stress in the body can also use up your magnesium supply at a faster rate. In response, low magnesium rates increase stress. It’s an endless loop that can be hard to break!
While going through my own experience of finding answers, I was surprised to learn that my blood work revealed my magnesium levels to be considered normal. However, my functional medicine doctor looked at both my labs and symptoms as a whole. I am a huge advocate of this holistic approach, and through it, we determined that my “normal” magnesium levels were not normal for my body. It turns out that I need more magnesium than the average person. This is why bio-individuality is so important: differing bodies have differing levels of need.
What Are The Different Kinds Of Magnesium?
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Magnesium Threonate
- This type of Magnesium is good for your brain and promotes better memory and cognitive function. It’s said to improve short-and long-term memory and to support the normal stimulation of brain cells. I choose to take this supplement at night.
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Magnesium Glycinate
- This magnesium has been shown to have a variety of benefits that includes relieving anxiety, maintaining normal heart rhythms and managing blood sugar in people with diabetes. I take it at night and it relaxes me for quality sleep. I started out by taking one a night and slowly started working my way up to my ideal dose based on how I felt.
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Calm Drink
- This drink uses a different kind of magnesium called Magnesium Citrate. Among other things, it’s also known for helping with constipation. (Be aware: If you drink too much, it can cause diarrhea.) I usually drink around 1 TBSP of this powder to prevent that from happening. This is my first go-to remedy when I feel anxious in the moment.
- I also love this drink when we are out. It comes in convenient individual packets and I prefer the unflavored version. It calms me almost instantly. My husband, Mitchell, now drinks it every night before bed, too.
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Epsom Salts
- Epsom salts are pure magnesium. If you follow along on Instagram, you know how much I love taking a warm bath every single night with 3-4 cups of unscented epsom salts. I instantly feel relaxed in my mind and body. I have also noticed that I get a better night of sleep when I use my epsom salts before bed. My husband always jokes with me when I come out of the bathroom after my bath and asks,“Did the mag hit?”
- Important note: I always make sure that I am done using electronics for the night when I take my bath. This helps me get the full effects of the epsom salts. I have noticed that if I pick up my phone after my bath, then I am no longer tired. I make sure that my nightly bath is the last thing I do before bed.
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