September Newsletter

Why Magnesium:

With the Olympics having been so fantastic and the Paralympics starting today, the emphasis is on exercise and one mineral that can be depleted is Magnesium. Thought of as the relax mineral, Magnesium is often low after exercise and periods of stress. It is not only required for muscle relaxation, but also it is a co-factor in enzyme activity, energy production, DNA & RNA for new cells and maintaining cell life. Even if you are not an Olympian, the increasingly stressful lives we lead can deplete our Magnesium levels.

Low magnesium signs:

Painful muscle spasms Muscle cramping Fibromyalgia Facial tics Eye twitches, involuntary eye movements

There are plenty of sources of Magnesium which are easy to add into any meal and for all the people with a sweet tooth, you will be pleased to hear that chocolate is a source – but before you head for a Mars bar, it is dark chocolate, with 70% or more cacao that is beneficial and far better for you than the traditional chocolates. Other sources of Magnesium include almonds, cashew nuts, pumpkin seeds, mackerel, dark green leafy vegetables (think spinach, lettuce, kale) artichokes, quinoa, broccoli and parsley. So with that variety of sources, it is easy to include magnesium into your daily life.

A quick recipe for Magnesium, Scrambled eggs with Spinach and Toast Ingredients: 2 eggs Dash of milk Pepper and pinch of turmeric Handful of spinach Slice of rye or wholewheat/seed bread Directions: Mix the eggs, milk and seasoning and whisk together. Heat a little oil in a pan and add the egg mixture and stir until it thickens up. In another pan, gently wilt the spinach in the boiling water and toast the bread. Place the spinach on top of the toast and eggs on top of the spinach.

For those times when you need to boost your Magnesium over and above the food you eat, there is a great supplement from Nutri Advanced - MegaMag Muscleze, which helps aching muscles no end. Also Epsom salts in a bath will help and another great product I have found is Magnesium Oil by Better You, a spray which is so easy to use - I always have one at home!