Did you know craving chocolate is a common sign of magnesium deficiency? Magnesium deficiency is very common in the US due to major processing of food, soil depletion, exogenous estrogens such of birth control pills and H.R.T. (Hormone Replacement Therapy)
Magnesium is a predominately intracellular mineral and facilitates as many as 300 enzymatic reaction. Sixty percent is found in the bone, 25% in muscle and the rest in the fluids and soft tissue. Also found in high concentrations in the mitochondria and in heart muscle.
Some Magnesium functions are: Structural integrity of teeth and bones, regulates heat muscle contractions, relaxes smooth muscle, decreases coagulation of the blood, necessary for essential fatty acid metabolism, essential for protein synthesis and along with B6 is useful for prevention of kidney stones.
Food sources of magnesium are: Black-eyed peas, millet, white beans, lima beans, red beans, kidney beans, barley, spinach, lentils, swiss chard, collard greens, oats, beet greens, potato, sweet potato,peas, brussels sprouts, almonds.
Be aware that high levels of supplemental magnesium can cause diarrhea, it competes with calcium and can lead to calcium deficiency. People with kidney failure should be careful of taking too much magnesium due to its potential toxicity.
A final note, the chocolate cravings may also indicate a blood sugar imbalance.
