Magnesium and Weight Loss

Widespread magnesium deficiency has been implicated in a host of chronic diseases, including obesity. How would healthy levels of magnesium in our cells help us to attain and maintain a healthy weight, and how does magnesium deficiency sabotage those goals?

Fatigue. The number one complaint patients bring to doctors is “feeling tired.” Being unable to lose weight probably ranks a close second.  The two concerns are related: It’s hard to eat less and exercise more when you’re already feeling tired all the time. Fatigue is one of the first signs of magnesium deficiency. Magnesium and the B vitamins are our main energy nutrients, involved in almost every step of energy creation in the cells’ energy factories, the mitochondria.

Nutrient Deficiency. Magnesium and the B's activate enzymes that control digestion, absorption and utilization of all three macronutrients—fats, proteins, and carbohydrates—making the vitamins and minerals they contain available for our bodies to use. Overeating is often caused by nutrient deficiency as the body craves more food because it’s trying to get the vitamins and minerals it’s lacking. Magnesium deficiency has been especially associated with sugar and chocolate cravings.

Stress. Stress eating has foiled many a weight loss program. Magnesium is the calming mineral that helps us deal with stress.  People who have high levels of magnesium in their red blood cells have been shown to tolerate stress much better than those whose levels are low; they become less irritable and put out less adrenalin and cortisol, the stress hormones. 

Genetics. Does the obesity gene run in your family? Don’t despair. Animal studies have shown that magnesium and the Bs keep the obesity gene in check so it isn’t activated and you won’t get fat.   

Insulin Resistance: Insulin resistance initiates a cascade of chemical reactions that decrease available energy and increase fat storage—roadblocks to any kind of weight loss effort. Magnesium deficiency can be a major factor in initiating and perpetuating insulin resistance, whereas sufficient magnesium increases insulin sensitivity. 

Toxicity. Toxins play a role in gaining weight, and magnesium plays many important roles in detoxifying the body. Having adequate levels of magnesium and the B-vitamins are crucial to any kind of weight loss or weight maintenance enterprise.

Since all nutrients work as a team with other essential nutrients, we urge anyone dealing with weight issues to supplement a good diet and exercise program with our Beyond Health Magnesium.