#48: Nutritional Deficiencies: Calcium & Magnesium

As Plant Based eaters we are often asked, “where do you get _____ from?”, “Are you getting enough _____?” Sadly, healthy plant based diets are often questioned whether to truly be good for you or not. Yet diets based mostly on processed foods don’t seem to get any attention. Something seems wrong here, doesn’t it?

With that said – Zuzana and I decided to do a series of podcasts discussing individual deficiencies you may encounter as a plant based eater.  

Starting with our first episode on Calcium and Magnesium that you can listen to here:

As mentioned in our podcast, if you eat a healthy diet based mostly on whole foods – you probably are doing pretty good. If you do feel like you are possibly lacking something; I recommend to journal your food intake for few days. This way you can truly see what you may be lacking. 

Another strategy is to follow a meal plan that was properly designed with adequate amount of calories, right macronutrients and based around whole real foods. You can download our Free 7 Day Meal Plan HERE.

Today we are specifically looking at Calcium and Magnesium deficiency, how to recognize it and make sure you are getting the appropriate recommended daily intake. 

Lets start with Calcium… 

What is Calcium? 

Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body, present mainly in the bones and teeth. Our bones serve as a storage site for the body’s calcium, providing this mineral to the bloodstream for use by the heart and other organs. Eating a diet rich in calcium helps to restore it to the bones; otherwise your body will take calcium from your bones to keep blood calcium at normal levels.  

As mentioned above, calcium is integral when it comes to building strong bones and teeth. It is also crucial for maintaining a normal heart rate, powering muscle contractions, enabling the relaxation of your muscles, hormone function, and even blood pressure regulation. In other words, it affects your whole body and keeps you functioning optimally each day.

Making sure you are getting adequate amounts of calcium from your food is important. The recommended daily intake of calcium is 1,000 to 1,200 milligrams per day, for ages 9 and up.

Signs I May Be Lacking Calcium? 

Early stages of calcium deficiency are not easily recognizable. However, symptoms can develop if the condition worsens. 

Severe symptoms of calcium deficiency may include:

• confusion or memory loss
• muscle spasms
• numbness and tingling in the hands, feet, and face
• depression
• hallucinations
• muscle cramps
• weak and brittle nails
• easy fracturing of the bones

Please remember – Zuzana and I are not health care practitioners and advise you to seek medical advice from your physician, if necessary. 

Where Do I Get Calcium? 

• Dark Leafy Greens (Watercress)
• Kale (cooked)
• Mustard greens (cooked)
• Chinese Cabbage (Pak Choi, Bok Choy)
• Okra (Cooked)
• Broccoli
• Green Snap Beans
• Almonds
• Blackstrap molasses
• Tahini

For more – CLICK HERE 

What is Magnesium? 

Magnesium is one of the most underrated minerals we need.  It is essential for over 300 different chemical reactions in the body, including maintaining your energy level, helping you relax, and sustaining the health of your heart and blood vessels. As for those 300 hormone reactions… here’s a few to name:

• Gives rigidity AND flexibility to your bones
• Increases bioavailability of calcium
• Regulates and normalizes blood pressure
• Prevents and reverses kidney stone formation
• Promotes restful sleep
• Helps prevent congestive heart failure
• Eases muscle cramps and spasms
• Lowers serum cholesterol levels and triglycerides
• Decreases insulin resistance
• Can prevent artherosclerosis and stroke
• End cluster and migraine headaches
• Enhances circulation
• Relieves fibromyalgia and chronic pain
• Treats asthma and emphysema
• Helps make proteins
• Encourages proper elimination
• Prevents osteoporosis

Signs I May Be Lacking Magnesium?

Because magnesium is active in so many different processes in your body, magnesium deficiency symptoms are varied and can include:

• Insomnia
• Anxiety, hyperactivity, restlessness
• Constipation
• Muscle spasms, twitches, soreness
• Difficulty swallowing
• Back aches
• Headaches
• Chest tightness and difficulty breathing
• Heart palpitations
• High blood pressure
• Extreme fatigue
• Osteoporosis

Where Do I Get Magnesium? 

• Spinach
• Chard
• Pumpkin seeds
• Almonds 
• Black Beans
• Avocado 
• Figs 
• Dark Chocolate 
• Banana
• Broccoli
• Apple
• Raisins

*TIP* 

Try fermented foods and drinks. Fermented foods and drinks (such as sauerkraut, or kumbucha tea) populate your gut with probiotics (beneficial bacteria and yeast) that help your body absorb more magnesium from your food.  

If you think you might be more severely magnesium deficient (likely athletes) and want to improve your levels more quickly, you may consider a topical supplement. This can be with epsom salt baths or purchasing a magnesium oil or spray. Topical is best, since our skin is the largest organ and will quickly absorb and utilize the magnesium. 

DOWNLOAD – AV 048 NUTRITIONAL DEFICIENCIES: CALCIUM AND MAGNESIUM

Be sure to check out our next episode on Vitamin D and Vitamin K deficiency. Until then…

Dedicated to your health and wellbeing, 

Nikki