The Magnesium Fix

If you’ve ever felt “wired-but-tired,” craved chocolate like it’s air, or stared at the clock at 2:14 am, you’re in the right seat.

Why we’re all running on fumes
Soil today has 30% less magnesium than it did in our parents’ day. Stress, three cups of coffee, and the occasional glass of wine all drag it out faster than your body can replace it.

Low magnesium shows up in three classic tells: a 3 p.m. energy cliff, an afternoon chocolate SOS, or—the stubborn Wednesday-morning, rabbit-sized poop. Take away magnesium and you unplug the parasympathetic “calm cable,” cortisol spikes, blood vessels squeeze, and your colon forgets that its one job is motion.

Magnesium is literally the switch that flips your nervous system from “fight-or-flight” to “rest-and-digest.” Without it, the vagus nerve stays half-asleep, leaving your brain, blood pressure and bowels tense. Think of it as WD-40 for your vagus.

Food first – keep it tasty and un-boring

• Pumpkin seeds – one small handful (¼ cup) = 150 mg – toss on yogurt parfaits, or into your trail mix.

• Spinach salad + almonds + goat cheese – another 150 mg.

• Almond butter: spoon it right out of the jar – 80 mg while you make dinner.

• 86% dark chocolate square – because health and happiness (30–40 mg).

• Black beans added to taco night – 120 mg per cup.

Pumpkin seeds and a nightly supplement can switch you from “wired and blocked” to “rested and regular."
Sleep well, poop well, live well.

Come back next week when we discuss Stress Belly. That's when your belly feels like a balloon and your brain won’t stop talking—it might be cortisol running the show. I'll share 5-minute tricks (yes, vagal breathing & adaptogens) to deflate ‘stress belly.’ Bring tea and a deep breath.