Many people think mineral deficiencies only occur in the developing world where food is scarce; but the reality is that most people are deficient in at least a few vitamins or minerals. Our soils are over-farmed leaving our foods nutrient poor, so even people eating the highest-quality of foods are susceptible to imbalances.

Enter: magnesium.

It's the 8th most abundant mineral on earth and affects everything from bowel regularity and cramps to sleep quality and digestion. It's found in nuts, seeds, greens, and even rice—and yet, most people only get about 1/2 their daily recommended allowance from food alone.

For yoga students, magnesium is one of the top minerals (right up there with sulfur) as it helps muscles relax and balances the nervous system—both essential for bendy bodies. On this week's Yoga Talk Show, you'll learn why magnesium deficiency is so common, and more importantly, some very simple tests to fix it safely at home.

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Listen & Learn:

• Why most people only get about 200mg of magnesium per day
• How magnesium dosage will self-regulate by sending you to the toilet if you have too much
• Why magnesium is essential for ATP (energy) production
• How to get tested for magnesium deficiency
• Recommended dosage: up to 600 mg/day of magnesium citrate (orally) or 2 cups of Epsom salts in a bath

ABOUT OUR GUEST

Carolyn Dean is a medical doctor and naturopath. She has authored and co-authored over 35 books including The Magnesium Miracle, IBS for Dummies, Hormone Balance, Death by Modern Medicine, and 110 Kindle books.

She graduated from Dalhousie Medical School in 1978, holds a medical license in California and is a graduate of The Ontario College of Naturopathic Medicine – now the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (CCNM) in Toronto. She served on the board of Governors of the CCNM for six years.

Nutritional Tip of the Week:

• Polyphenols

Links & References from the Show:

• Carolyn's Site
• Carolyn's Books

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