Magnesium – your natural remedy for migraines:

Migraines and cluster headaches were ruining my life.  I couldn’t work, couldn’t care for my young boys, and was scared to even leave the house (for fear that I would get a debilitating headache while out).  I was only in my early 30’s.  My doctors had run a number of tests to determine how someone could go from perfectly healthy to suffering daily without some underlying cause.  They couldn’t find answers so they prescribed more and more powerful painkillers.  I spent my time between headaches searching for an answer and hoping for a natural remedy for migraines.  One day I stumbled upon a snippet about how a magnesium/calcium imbalance could cause migraines. Accustomed to experimenting on my own, I started taking magnesium the following day.  I have been migraine and cluster headache free ever since (except on the few occasions I have skipped my supplement).

Magnesium was a miracle cure for me.  Research indicates that a potentially high percentage of people can eliminate migraines by the combination of cutting out aspartame and supplementing magnesium.  Twenty-five million Americans suffer with migraines.  I hope my message is far-reaching.  If magnesium can give others their lives back the way it did for me, they need to give it a shot.

(NOTE:  This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links and make a purchase, I may receive a small compensation.  Thank you in advance for any purchases you make through these links.  Know that your support is appreciated.)

Why Magnesium?

“To use magnesium is more powerful than any drug.”  Simply put, magnesium is essential for life. It supports the electric current in our body.  Magnesium affects our nerves, our heart, our muscles, blood vessels, blood pressure, and even our thoughts.

There are a lot of books and websites on the topic. I personally purchased and read “The Magnesium Miracle” by Carolyn Dean.

 

To buy: $10.87,  amazon.com

 

 

How do I know if I’m deficient?

There is no accurate way to measure your magnesium levels.  A 1997 study found American men to be meeting only 80% of the RDA of magnesium and American women to only be getting 70% of the RDA. (Remember RDA is the minimum required amount to prevent disease – not the recommended amount for optimum health).  I found this graph at www.bebrainfit.com:

Migraines are just one symptom of magnesium deficiency.  Many people who supplement for one symptom find it helps other symptoms they didn’t even know were related.  Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia patients have reported improvement when supplementing with magnesium.  Deficiency can affect every aspect of your life.  Some even report an improvement in their sex life.  Therefore, if you are experiencing any of the following, I urge you to consult with a professional about supplementing:

• Anxiety
• Asthma
• Blood Clots
• Bone and Tooth problems
• Bowel Problems
• Depression
• Diabetes
• Fatigue
• Heart Disease
• High Cholesterol
• Hypoglycemia
• Insomnia
• Kidney Stones
• Migraines and Other Headaches
• Muscle Problems (twitches, spasms, cramps, neck pain, and back pain)
• Nerve Problems
• Panic Attacks

Diet and lifestyle factor into all of these ailments.  Supplementing magnesium, while it can be miraculous, is not a guarantee. Additionally, it could take months to see a change from correcting any nutrient deficiencies.

Why am I deficient?

Our lifestyle depletes magnesium.  Furthermore, our food supply is depleted. (I wrote an extensive post on the topic.  If you are interested, you can read about that here.)  Also, deficiency can be a vicious cycle.  Many of the substances used to treat the above symptoms (like painkillers, diuretics, antibiotics and cortisone) further deplete your magnesium. Other factors that deplete magnesium:

• Alcohol
• Antacids
• Fluoride in Water
• High Protein Diet
• Lunch Meats and Hot Dogs
• Nicotine
• Soy in Diet
• Stress
• Sugar in Diet
• Supplementing with Calcium
• Sweat Loss During Exercise
• Too Much Caffeine

Additionally, only about 1/3 to 1/2 of the magnesium we get is absorbed. It’s safe to assume that a lot of people could benefit from raising their intake.

How much magnesium should I take?

Magnesium supplements can be easily and inexpensively obtained at your nearest pharmacy or grocery store.  I am not qualified to recommend dosage so check with your doctor, but most sources recommend starting with 200 mg/day.  I have been successful at preventing migraines by taking 250 mg/day of the supplement below in addition to my daily vitamin/supplement program. (Clicking on the photo will take you to my affiliate link).:

 

To buy: $3.59,  amazon.com

 

 

The most recommended and possibly most effective magnesium supplement, though, is probably this one:

 

 

To buy: $15.37,  amazon.com

 

 

If supplementing long-term, consider adding calcium so you don’t get an imbalance (I hope to discuss that in a future article).

Other ways you can increase your magnesium levels:

• Epsom Salt Bath
• Magnesium Oil (I have never tried this, but there are recipes online for making your own)
• Adding a lot of Magnesium-Rich Foods: Nuts, beans, greens, seeds.  Top sources include spinach, chard and pumpkin seeds.  Read this for recommendations on choosing mineral-rich produce.
• I also found a lotion to use at bed-time here.

Even with a healthy diet, supplementing magnesium can improve your health. If you are suffering with any kind of headache or the above conditions, I urge you to look into it.  Magnesium is a proven natural remedy for migraines as well as a number of other ailments.

How do I make over my diet and lifestyle without getting overwhelmed?

I am currently offering a course that helps people to make over their diet and lifestyle choices ONE HABIT AT A TIME.  We take a moderate approach that will help these habits stick FOR LIFE.

Please click here to learn more about my signature course to help you make over your diet and lifestyle.

Thank you for reading this article.  This is another good one:

 

To read this article in video format, go to:  https://youtu.be/RrK_mkR0dUw

In conclusion, we would like to thank you for taking the time to read this article.  Please consider sharing so if you have found it helpful or know someone who it would help. You can either click on the share buttons on the left or hover over any photo to save to Pinterest. I like to use the hashtags #thegoodlife4us #supplementright #detox #anticancer #cramps #insulinresistance #seizures #insomnia #anxiety #headaches #migraines #depression #osteoporosis #highbloodpressure #autism #ibs #fibromyalgia #constipation #irritablebladder #magnesiumdeficiency #magnesium

Marcy Vogler is a lifestyle makeover coach, personal trainer, and mother of three.  Marcy is passionate about helping women make over their lives from the inside out.  To learn more about the courses Marcy offers, check out our parter website at www.thegoodlife4u.club.  For daily inspiration, join Marcy’s Facebook Group:  Love Your Day, Love Your Life.