As the busy holiday season winds down and we move into a New Year likely to be filled with change, it’s good to remember the important role that magnesium plays in helping us to better manage stress and to guard against anxiety and depression. Inadequate magnesium appears to reduce levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin in the brain, increasing the risk of depression. Adequate serotonin is also important in the control of satiety (feeling full/satisfied after eating) and in sleep regulation. According to national nutrition data more than half of US adults obtain less than the recommended amount of magnesium.
One effective way to increase your magnesium intake is by enjoying Magnesium-Rich Water throughout the day. You can make your own Magnesium-Rich Water by dissolving 2 tsp. powdered magnesium citrate (I use unflavored CALM) in 3 ½ cups of water. I like to add about ½ cup of unsweetened blueberry or cherry juice to provide a bit of flavor and to mask the sour taste of the citrate. Each cup of this magnesium water provides about 88 mg of elemental magnesium … and these lower dosages taken through the day are better absorbed than a larger dose in pill/tab form.
You can read more about magnesium in my 2014 Blog “Magnesium Matters”. And you might also treat yourself to a little Dark Chocolate, Cherry, & Nut Bark to celebrate the New Year. Dark chocolate and nuts are good sources of magnesium, and each ounce of this low-carb, fiber-rich (3g fiber/ounce) homemade candy provides about 45 mg magnesium.