Smelly feet? Eat chocolate.
Smelly feet? EAT CHOCOLATE! You think I'm kidding, but I'm not. Did you know that quality dark chocolate is a decent source of magnesium? Did you also know that smelly feet is a sign that the body may be deficient in magnesium?
Magnesium is a mineral responsible for over 300 biochemical reactions in the body. It impacts blood pressure, metabolism, immune function, and many other aspects of health.
Magnesium deficiency is very common due to various reasons. Our soil is so depleted that the foods we grow and the animals grazing (that we ultimately eat) are also very low in magnesium. Other factors deplete our personal stores as well, like caffeine and sugar consumption - but most of all stress.
Signs and symptoms of a magnesium deficiency may include:
- Muscle cramps, twinges, and eye twitching
- Mental health issues - even anxiety and depression
- Bone density issues (mag is a co-factor needed to absorb calcium)
- Fatigue and muscle weakness
- Foot odor
- High blood pressure
- Irregular heartbeat (may be due to electrolyte imbalance)
- Hormone imbalances
- Sleep issues
- Low energy
- Muscle soreness post workout / unable to recover
Ways to increase magnesium levels:
- Support digestion - if you're not breaking down food then you will not absorb magnesium (my favorite digestive enzyme - contact me if you're interested in a discount).
- Include magnesium rich foods in your diet: dark chocolate, nuts (like almonds), seeds (like pumpkin seeds), avocados, leafy greens (spinach, chard), bananas.
- Topical magnesium, like lotions or sprays.
- Oral supplements (my favorite magnesium - contact me if you're interested in a discount).
If you suspect a magnesium deficiency, I strongly recommend addressing digestion first! While doing so, increase magnesium rich foods and start a good quality mag supplement. Dosing should be 200-400mg before bed as magnesium is a relaxant and will encourage sleep. If you experience bathroom issues in the morning, back your dose down by 100mg.
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If you're interested in diving deeper regarding your own magnesium deficiency, consider working with Lorraine through Nutritional Therapy.
