Magnesium is an important nutrient that is necessary for many functions within the body. However, a lack of magnesium can produce many issues in the body like anxiety, which is common in women going through menopause.
Since magnesium levels in your body tend to wane during the menopausal stages of life, it is important to ensure that you are replenishing the magnesium stores within your body on a regular basis. By keeping your magnesium levels up, it can help your body operate the way it should, and it might even help reduce the symptoms of menopause.
Natural Sources for Anxiety Relief
Perhaps the best way to get more magnesium in the body is to consume natural sources of the nutrient. In fact, foods rich in magnesium can be beneficial for strengthening your body and even reduce the chance of getting a menopause condition called osteoporosis. Through natural magnesium, you can also help reduce your chances of getting anxiety, insomnia and more that are often associated with menopausal symptoms. There are several natural sources of magnesium in the foods you eat like grains, fruits, vegetables and even beans. Brown rice, cocoa powder, whole-wheat bread and bananas are all great options for helping you get more magnesium. You can even find this nutrient in herbs and spices like sage, fennel seed or dill weed.
Taking a Supplement
Sometimes, eating natural sources of magnesium is not always effective at reducing the symptoms of anxiety and menopause. Instead, you might need an additional boost of magnesium in the form of a supplement. The recommended dosage for this supplement is 320 milligrams each day, but you should always discuss taking a supplement with your doctor before starting a regimen since too much can be a bad thing. The body will go through magnesium quickly, which means that supplements might not always be the best throughout the day. This is why you should discuss it with your doctor first.
Too Much
Too much of anything is never good, and magnesium is no exception to the rule. If you take too much magnesium, whether it be in the natural food forms or the supplement, you might find yourself getting other symptoms of low blood pressure, vomiting or upset stomach. There are other serious conditions that can come from taking too much magnesium as well like going into cardiac arrest. This is why it is suggested to speak with your doctor before adding more magnesium to your diet.
The Best Foods
Once you get time to speak with your doctor, you can start looking into foods rich in this nutrient, but only after you are given permission. There are several foods that you can purchase right at your local grocery store that is rich in the nutrient and is usually budget-friendly to purchase.
Perhaps the number one source of magnesium is whole wheat, and the best way to get this source is to purchase whole wheat bread at the store instead of white bread. Spinach is also a great addition to the magnesium in your body. These dark leaves are full of many nutrients, with magnesium being only one of them. Quinoa is similar to rice, and this high protein food has many minerals as well as magnesium for the body. Almonds, peanuts and cashews are also high in magnesium. Plus, they are a great snack. Black beans are also great for getting more magnesium, and edamame is a soybean in the pod that is both delicious and full of magnesium. Still, sesame seeds and tofu are other great sources, though they are smaller in magnesium content than others mentioned.
When your body is going through menopause, two of the biggest symptoms is tiredness and anxiousness that comes from lack of magnesium. When the body is lacking magnesium, it can throw many systems out of whack, and since our body tends to use magnesium throughout the day, it is important to replenish the supply throughout the day, especially when going through menopause. Luckily, there are several ways to replenish the supply. After talking with your doctor, you can readily add more magnesium to your diet, helping boost your bodily functions once again and reduce those anxious feelings.