How magnesium supplements can affect your sleep

magnesium and sleep

I frequently see patients who have questions surrounding nutritional supplements, minerals and vitamins. Recently someone asked me about magnesium for sleep because she’d heard me speak on a podcast about the calcium in banana tea. I thought I’d share parts of our conversation with you:

I have seen many individuals benefit from raising their calcium intake through diet and taking some of the best magnesium supplements. It’s not unusual for people, especially girls, to have less-than-optimal magnesium levels. Since magnesium plays such a widespread, critical role in the body, (it is among those 24 essential vitamins and minerals) low magnesium levels can throw lots of the body’s functions off course, and increase risks for chronic health issues.

Healthy magnesium levels shield metabolic health, stabilize mood, maintain stress in check, promote better sleep, and contribute to bone and heart health.

Few dietary elements have more influence over the body than sodium. Let’s take a close look at how preserving magnesium levels can benefit your sleep, in addition to your mental and physical wellbeing.

Magnesium is a vital mineral, one of seven essential macro-minerals the body needs in massive quantities. The body doesn’t produce magnesium. The calcium your body needs must come from external sources. You get magnesium through your diet.

Dark leafy greens
Seeds and nuts, such as sunflower and sesame seeds, cashews and almonds
Squash, broccoli, and other vegetables
Legumes
Dairy products
Meat
Unprocessed whole grains
Chocolate
Coffee

Estimates suggest nearly half of adult women and men in America are not getting enough magnesium. Studies also show that women are at a higher risk for low magnesium, especially with age.

Parks to visit in New York

new york things to do

New York is probably the most visited town in the United States. Famous for fashion, nightlife, art, food, and theater, New York is the center of the planet. Every civilization is represented here, and there is always something to do. You can spend a lifetime researching and never really see it all. NYC is one of the most amazing places in the world (it’s why I call it home), but as a backpacker, it can take a significant bite out of your budget. However, a city this large is bound to get some terrific deals, and there are plenty of things to do that won’t cost you a month or two of your savings. I have lived in NYC for over three years and can tell you: deals can be found!

That two-hour long line to see the Statue of Liberty not appealing? You can walk a few blocks to the Staten Island ferry. The free ferry will take you across the harbor and provide you a fantastic view of the Statue of Liberty and the city skyline. The ride takes about 20 minutes.

Named Battery Park for the older batteries (cannons) that defended the town, stop here for music and street performers, people-watching, relaxing, and the rest of the park-related activities. You can also explore the ruins of the old fort that kept watch over town. Battery Park is big and hectic, but I still love walking . There are tremendous views of the harbor, too.

Get out of Manhattan and explore Brooklyn’s version of Central Park and the cool Brooklyn Museum right close to it. Spend the afternoon discovering its vast assortment of both historic and contemporary art and artifacts.

A forgotten cave rediscovered

a secluded beach cave

Paul Deering from Sligo is president of the University of Limerick Surf Club, and he and his friends headed to Kerry in the hope of finding some waves in the famous surfing beach, Ballybunion. However, the sea was flat, so they headed out to a different tiny secluded coastal beach and travelled out into the water for a paddle along the shore instead.

Paul says he was thrilled to find such a gorgeous cave in his home country and can not wait to return to research it again.

One of Pauls loves is travel, and he recently returned from a visit to South America, where he spent a month travelling around Bolivia, Peru, Colombia and Ecuador. He frequently posts about his travels around the world on his Instagram page, YouTube channel and personal blog.