Magnesium Deficiency and Stress - the Vicious Cycle

Magnesium deficiency can drive stress and create a vicious cycle of stress management and nutrient deficiencies. Stress, through the HPA axis, can deplete magnesium levels and that depletion leaves individuals further susceptible to stress and further HPA activation. This creates a cycle of stress and magnesium deficiency.

There are many forms of stress that initiate this biological cascade, including emotional stress, physical stress, and mental stress, that ultimately leaves you magnesium deficient. When we talk about stress management, we are referring to various techniques and methods to reduce stress such as mindfulness, yoga, exercise, sleep, and nutrition. Magnesium supplementation can help mediate symptoms and support your nervous system, but it is not a root cause cure for stress management.

Magnesium is a mineral and an essential part of our body to operate daily. It makes up a large part of our bones and is essential in more than 300 cellular reactions. Symptoms of magnesium deficiency can include but are not limited to: anxiety, depression, fatigue, insomnia, irritability, panic attacks, muscle cramps, chest tightness, headaches and brain fog. For proper magnesium absorption, you need adequate vitamin D and parathyroid hormone in the body. If your vitamin D status or PTH status are low or impaired, you are at a higher risk for magnesium deficiency.

Magnesium glycinate is a top choice for stress relief and improving sleep, as it is easily absorbed by the body and helps to support the nervous system. It is essential to manage stress and nutrient deficiencies through stress management techniques, diet, lifestyle changes and supplementation to break the vicious cycle of stress management and nutrient deficiencies.