Magnesium & Hormonal Imbalance By Lynn Adada
Magnesium & Hormonal Imbalance By Lynn Adada
If you’re a busy modern woman, chances are you’re deficient in magnesium and don’t even know it. This multitasking mineral is needed for your body to complete around 300 enzyme responses. Many of these responses impact your natural hormone balance.
Magnesium is critically necessary to treat all hormonal imbalance issues - including PMS, PCOS, thyroid conditions, and menopause. Licensed Nutritionist and Dietitian, Lynn Adada, will explain how magnesium works on many levels to help to bring your system into balance.
How does consuming more magnesium affect my body?
Hormones can cause issues for many women, especially upon entering perimenopause. All sorts of frustrating fluctuations can occur, and these fluctuations impact nearly every aspect of a woman’s life. When our hormones are imbalanced, we may experience major mood swings and irritability. We might have trouble sleeping. We may experience a decrease in sex drive. We might gain weight. We may lose our energy and zest for life. So how does magnesium help? Here’s your answer:
Magnesium lowers blood sugar – Magnesium effectively sensitizes insulin receptors resulting in improved control of insulin and fewer sugar cravings. Magnesium is so helpful for lowering blood sugar that some experts call it ‘natural metformin’ – in reference to the drug used to stabilize blood sugars in people with type II diabetes. When magnesium helps stabilize blood sugars, women feel fewer cravings for snacks and find it much easier to lose weight or maintain a healthy weight. Conversely, when people are deficient in magnesium their risk of impaired insulin and the development of type II diabetes shoots up.
Magnesium regulates cortisol levels – Magnesium relaxes the nervous system and reduces excess cortisol production. It also prevents the uptake of cortisol into the brain. As a calming hormone, magnesium helps to reduce over-reactivity. The upshot? You experience less anxiety and stay calmer during stress, reducing your production of stress hormones. Cutting out coffee can also help stabilize your adrenals.
Magnesium helps prevent period pain – Taken daily, magnesium may prevent menstrual cramps in some people. It works by relaxing the smooth muscle of the uterus and by reducing the prostaglandins that cause period pain.
Magnesium supports quality sleep – Magnesium calms the brain by blocking the binding of a stimulating neurotransmitter (Glutamate) to NDMA receptors. Optimal sleep is crucial to hormonal balance. Magnesium aids the production of the human growth hormone by promoting better sleep quality and faster sleep onset. Improved sleep then allows your body to get on with the job of producing hormones and repairing cellular damage.
Where to find magnesium?
While you can take a supplement, there’s no better way of getting the magnesium you need than from the foods you eat. To ensure you’re getting enough magnesium, be sure to eat plenty of dark leafy greens. You’ll also want to fuel your hormones with seeds like flax, pumpkin, and chia. They’re full of magnesium and other hormone-healthy nutrients.
Legumes have plenty of magnesium, too. Lentils, chickpeas, black beans — these are some of the best legumes for magnesium intake. Avocados are also beneficial for your hormones. Not only do they give you magnesium, but they’re also full of B vitamins, vitamin K, and potassium. What’s more, if you’re trying to fight the weight gain that often accompanies hormonal fluctuations, avocados are proven to help you feel full.
Last but certainly not least — dark chocolate makes our magnesium-rich list of foods! Dark chocolate even contains prebiotic fiber, perfect for supporting gut health. It’s also rich in antioxidants, as well as the minerals copper, manganese, and iron. Yes, dark chocolate can be a gal’s best friend!
Lynn insists that you always strive to heal your body naturally, and don’t forget to check the wide selection of magnesium-rich foods on Mint Basil Market!
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us or comment below.