Here are some Magnesium Rich Foods that we are currently enjoying; most of which friends and family have gladly shared their knowledge and time with me…
Roasted Garbanzo Beans (Chickpeas)
Originally, I had been frying them, but since burning a hole in the microwave above the stove, I decided to roast them. 450 degrees for 30 minutes.
This is one of the first things I began making. At first my kids stayed far away from it, but after I told them that it was mine… they began wanting it. I have to keep the banana out for one of my children, but it is an amazing source of Magnesium!
Green Smoothie
1/3 Kale
1/3 Spinach
1/3 frozen Berries
1 Banana
1/2 Water (some use milk, but all use different kinds of milk in our household, so this is best for us. Almond Milk would be the highest source of Magnesium. Feel free to use ice if you don’t use frozen fruit.)
My son made these last week after a friend at church told me how to make them. We all love the taste, and they are super easy to make. I did notice that when I put them away in a ziplock bag or plastic container, that they would become soggy again. I then put them back in the oven. We left them out all night a couple of nights ago, and they were super crispy!
In a bowl, mix Kale leaves with a tiny bit of Olive Oil and salt.
Put them in the oven at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes.
This has been a fun learning experience for my family and I as we are changing for the better. I will add more as we learn more. I hope this encourages you today!
I have been putting off writing this post for a long time. There is so much that a Magnesium deficiency covers, not to mention finding the right kind of Magnesium! It has been exhausting process for me, but WELL worth it! I would like to pass on this information to you.
Then, let’s add on mutations. A connective tissue disorder such as Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome causes problems in holding Magnesium (and other salts) in your body. Dr. Heidi Collins talks about how many problems in EDS that are aided by adding Magnesium in one’s diet. Her paper is summarized by Dr. Diana Driscoll here. (both Dr. Driscoll and Dr. Collins have EDS)
Now, if you’ve established that you may have a Magnesium deficiency, try adding foods with Magnesium into your diet. Also cut out sugars, processed foods, starches, and gluten in your diet that are immediately decreasing your Magnesium (and other salt) levels. Personally, I do not even like salt and many foods that have Magnesium in them, so I poured over the food list that includes Magnesium and first chose the foods that I didn’t hate. Now, I am trying foods that I never particularly cared for with different recipes to find a way that I may like it instead of completely dismissing something that is good for me.
First, I knew I liked Spinach. I began adding fresh spinach to the salad that my husband began making for me to get well. Then, I began doing the same with avocados. Next, I began eating tuna salad (albacore without mercury) with veggie chips instead of on bread. Now, I’ve completely cut out the chips. I tried an internet recipe passed around on Facebook on garbanzo beans. I’m trying spinach smoothies. (and other green smoothies.) 6 months ago, I would have thought that green smoothies were crazy, however, I figure if I’m not feeling well with what I’m doing, try something new! (for any diet changes, I’ve found it easier for me to go slow and not to jump in, or I won’t stick to it.)
Now, being extremely Magnesium deficient because of EDS and dealing with Chronic Pain and Fatigue and Insomnia beginning 2 1/2 years ago, I knew I had to do something drastic. I began searching for vitamin supplementation even before getting in to see Dr. Collins. Even after working with her on it, I have found these things to be true:
Because every body is different, one Magnesium that works for me, may not work for you. Dr. Collins suggested that Chelated Magnesium was the best for those of us with EDS, however, my body did not absorb it… it simply did not improve my health and quickly left my body. There is only one that has worked for me to improve my health. I have found that the types that end in “ate” work best to absorb, and the “ide” endings just go right through (best for laxative affect.)
You need other vitamins with your supplementation that help your body to absorb Magnesium: Calcium, B6 and Vitamin D3. This is easier to do with food intake rather than supplementation, but when you are extremely deficient, consider these vitamins, as well.
Calcium supplementation ratio should be Calcium 1.5-Magnesium 1 (Calcium 150-Magnesium 100 or Calcium 200-Magnesium 130.) For my child with IBS, we need a 2-1 ratio. For him, I add in chewable calcium to make up the difference when he takes his Magnesium drink.
You can overdose on B6 causing neuropathy. My favorite supplement is vitamin B50 which has the FDA limit of B6, but also other B vitamins in it. I also take a B12 vitamin for energy that does not have a limit like B6 does.
Taking Magnesium in the morning is best. I had been trying to do 1500mg before bed and waking up not feeling so well still. Taking a bunch of salt before bed, before not eating for a large amount of time, can cause hypoglycemia. I do not have a problem with that, but lack of salts in my body acts the same way. I have always had to eat every couple of hours. I do not need to cause another problem. But having the right amount of Magnesium at the right times can stabilize insulin. The Magnesium that I currently take says to take 3 times a day, so I take it with food.
Taking Magnesium with Iron will cancel out both vitamins. I take Magnesium separate from my Vitamin C and multivitamin. (Dr. Collins suggests that a multivitamin is not necessary because the high vitamin ratio that is actually needed is so low in the multivitamin.)
Foods with Magnesium in them absorb best.
Do not forget that salt and water work together. One is supposed to drink half their body weight in oz. of water. If you are taking a ton of salt with no water, you will dehydrate. If you are taking in a ton of water, but no salt, you will also dehydrate. (Sports drinks have too much sugar in them)
These things have been helping my family and I to heal from Chronic Pain/Fatigue, Insomnia, Hyperactivity, Allergies, Joints that easily pop out of place, and Easy bruising/bleeding. When your body is well in other areas, you do not get sick as easy. Another thing I like to do to help to not feel dizzy (POTS) is to add Epsom salt to the bath water or plug the drain to do so while showering. Also Magnesium spray or Magnesium cream onto my areas of muscle pain. It absorbs quickly into the part of my body that needs it. Carrying around Magnesium tablets or powder with me have also been a life-saver when I am out and have an episode of my blood-pressure dropping. I hope this has helped or will help you in your journey. Here are a couple of other videos that have inspired me.
Journey back to Eden 