Magnesium & Psoriasis on the Brain

By nature, I am not very good at taking medication every day. There is no specific reason for this, I am just bad at it. For a few days, I am really consistent and then out of nowhere, I forget. Once I have forgotten getting back into a routine is hard.

In my psoriasis treatment, magnesium is one vitamin that has proven time and time again to be deeply beneficial. This is the one I don’t forget to take. I will admit to needing a reminder to take it, but most of the time it happens on a regular basis.

How does magnesium improve my psoriasis symptoms?

So what is magnesium good for? It helps the body in hundreds of ways to do what it needs to do. It seems to be an all-rounder, good for a lot of things. I am told that magnesium can help regulate blood sugar, looks after your organs and beneficial for teeth and bones too.

These are the things that I find magnesium to be most helpful for. I preface that there will be people that this vitamin does nothing for. Personally, I am happy to report I am not one of them.

Sleep

I thought it was a myth. I am a single mama who works two jobs. I've had a colic baby who defied the laws of sleep. So there is very little that gets me excited as the promise of a good night’s rest.

I am not a fan of sleeping tablets. They knock me out and being on my own with a small child, I find it better that I don’t take one. Now I take one magnesium at night and while it does not sedate me, it truly helps me sleep better. I am not sure if it a more restful or deeper sleep. Whatever it is, it is good and I am taking it.

Gut Health

It has been said that magnesium could help with relieving symptoms of IBS and improve gut health. Do be warned though that it could have a laxative effect.

I find it helpful to keep my body running as it should. Kind of like the oil that keeps the engine running smoothly.

Magnesium improves my mental health

Again, an unexpected side effect for me. Magnesium helps stabilize my mood when I take it on a continuous basis.

If I have not had my supplement for about a week. And yes this happens from time to time, for a variety of reasons, I certainly can feel the impact.

Where is magnesium found?

Personally I opt for an organic supplement. There are so many brands available in so many countries between 300 – 400mg. Equally important, there are magnesium-rich foods that can benefit your magnesium choices.

Here are some food sources with good levels of magnesium:

1. Whole wheat
2. Spinach
3. Quinoa
4. Almonds, cashews, and peanuts
5. Dark chocolate
6. Black beans
7. Edamame
8. Avocado
9. Tofu
10. Cultured yogurt

How much magnesium is enough?

As always, I would discuss taking any additional vitamins with your doctor. They'll have the most insight and be able to describe the effect it will have on your body. Full transparency, I am still working out what works for me.

The National Institute of Health recommends the following daily intake of magnesium:

• Children 1-3 years: 80 mg
• Children 4-8 years: 130 mg
• Children 9-13 years: 240 mg
• Teens 14-18 years: boys 410 mg and girls 360 mg
• Adults 19-30 years: men 400 mg and women 310 mg
• Adults 31+ years: men 420 mg and women 320 mg

The supplement facts panel on a dietary supplement label declares the amount of elemental magnesium in the product, not the weight of the entire magnesium-containing compound.