Today, I am thrilled to introduce our very first guest of the podcast, a dear friend from high school, Dr. Robert Fredrickson. Robert has recently launched a book and is here to discuss the importance of magnesium. This conversation is especially exciting for me as there are so many aspects of health and wellness where, as a personal trainer and nutritionist, I don’t always have all the answers.

Meet Dr. Robert Fredrickson

Robert Fredrickson is a doctor of natural medicine and chiropractic, originally starting his career as a sports medicine physician. Over time, Robert’s journey took an unexpected turn when he began experiencing unexplained arthritis. Despite living a healthy lifestyle and consulting numerous doctors, he found no relief from traditional treatments. This led him to seek help from a functional medicine doctor in Austin, which ultimately transformed his approach to health and wellness.

The Turning Point for Him

During his fifth year in practice, Robert encountered severe arthritis that traditional medicine couldn’t explain or effectively treat. His breakthrough came when a functional medicine doctor performed comprehensive genetic and functional tests, revealing deficiencies despite his seemingly healthy lifestyle. The critical revelation was that the over-the-counter vitamins he was taking were not sufficiently absorbed by his body. Switching to higher-quality, medical-grade vitamins made a night-and-day difference, particularly with magnesium.

Understanding Magnesium Deficiency

Robert’s story highlights a common issue: many people take supplements but don’t see results due to poor absorption. His own deficiencies in magnesium, despite already taking supplements, sparked his deep interest and passion for this essential mineral. Poor absorption from low-quality supplements was the root cause of his issues. Once he switched to better-absorbed forms of magnesium, he saw significant improvements in his health, underscoring the importance of supplement quality.

The Importance of Quality Supplements

The form and quality of magnesium are crucial. Low-quality supplements may have poor absorption rates, rendering them ineffective. For instance, some products may only have a 4% absorption rate, while others can have up to 80%. This vast difference can impact overall health significantly. Magnesium plays a vital role in hundreds of enzymatic processes in the body, and deficiencies can lead to a range of health issues.

Recognizing Magnesium Deficiency

Recognizing magnesium deficiency can be challenging due to the wide array of symptoms. Early signs include muscle pain, aches, frequent migraines, irregular bowel movements, brain fog, fatigue, and eye twitching. Other signs might include poor recovery from workouts, persistent soreness, and even severe conditions like arrhythmias and high blood pressure. Magnesium is crucial for over a thousand enzymatic processes in the body, making it a mineral you don’t want to be deficient in.

The Role of Lifestyle in Magnesium Levels

Our modern lifestyle often depletes magnesium levels. Stress, inadequate nutrition, and insufficient rest can all lead to increased magnesium usage in the body. Surprisingly, 50 to 75% of adult Americans are deficient in magnesium. For many, incorporating a high-quality magnesium supplement can significantly improve overall health and well-being.

Practical Steps for Assessing and Addressing Deficiencies

If you suspect a magnesium deficiency, one practical approach is simply to start supplementing and observe any improvements in your health. Many people, especially those with fast-paced lifestyles, can benefit from magnesium supplements. Ensuring you choose a high-quality product with good absorption is key to reaping the benefits.

Magnesium and Women’s Health

For women, particularly busy moms, maintaining adequate magnesium levels is essential. Even those who strive to eat clean and maintain a high-protein diet may find supplementing with magnesium beneficial. The high prevalence of deficiency (50-75%) underscores the importance of considering magnesium supplementation as a part of a healthy routine.

Magnesium for Children

Children’s health can also be impacted by magnesium levels. Common symptoms of deficiency in kids include poor sleep and restlessness. Ensuring children receive adequate magnesium, either through diet or supplements, can help address these issues. Dr. Fredrickson, a father of two, provides practical insights based on his own experiences.

Understanding Magnesium Deficiency in Children

For parents, particularly those with young children, recognizing and addressing magnesium deficiency can be critical. Symptoms such as irritability, lack of focus, prolonged time to wind down before bedtime, sleep disturbances, and irregular bowel movements can all indicate a deficiency in magnesium. Given the modern diet and lifestyle, it’s not uncommon for children to require supplementation to meet their nutritional needs.

Sugar intake, in particular, plays a significant role in depleting magnesium levels. Magnesium is essential for breaking down sugar into glucose, which the body uses as fuel. Thus, children consuming high amounts of sugar are likely using up their magnesium stores, making supplementation even more crucial. For picky eaters or those not getting enough magnesium through their diet, supplements can provide the necessary support.

Appropriate Dosages for Children

When it comes to magnesium supplementation, it’s essential to consider the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) guidelines. For adults, the RDA varies: 420 milligrams for males and 360 milligrams for females. For children, the dosage is significantly lower, typically ranging from 80 to 100 milligrams depending on age and weight.

It’s important to note that while overdosing on magnesium is rare due to the body’s ability to excrete excess amounts, it’s still advisable to consult with a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement regimen. For instance, in cases of high irritability or after a weekend of poor diet, a higher dose of around 160 milligrams may be administered to children. The key is to find a balance and maintain adequate magnesium levels over time.

Long-Term Supplementation and Dietary Adjustments

A common question is whether long-term supplementation is necessary once magnesium levels are restored. It is indeed possible to reduce or even eliminate the need for supplements by maintaining a diet rich in magnesium and other nutrients. However, this can be challenging due to modern dietary habits and lifestyle factors. For busy individuals, especially those experiencing high levels of stress, a higher initial dose of magnesium might be needed to quickly replenish deficient levels.

Maintaining optimal magnesium levels can involve incorporating magnesium-rich foods and mineral water into the diet. For those who manage to balance their intake effectively, a reduced dose of magnesium supplements may suffice. Regular lab testing, such as the RBC (Red Blood Cell) magnesium test, can help monitor and adjust magnesium levels accurately.

Importance of Quality in Magnesium Supplements

When choosing magnesium supplements, quality is paramount. The market is flooded with various forms of magnesium, not all of which are created equal. Poorly absorbed forms like magnesium oxide, hydroxide, or carbonate are common in over-the-counter supplements found at grocery stores or pharmacies. These forms are less effective in raising magnesium levels within the body.

For better absorption and effectiveness, look for supplements containing forms such as magnesium glycinate, malate, taurate, or L-threonate. Turning the bottle around and checking the supplement facts and ingredient list can help ensure you’re choosing a high-quality product.

The Importance of Magnesium in Daily Life: From Children to Adults

Understanding the significance of magnesium and its impact on overall health is crucial for everyone, from children to busy adults. In this detailed discussion, we’ll dive into the various facets of magnesium, including its benefits, how to identify deficiencies, and practical ways to maintain optimal levels.

Recognizing Magnesium Deficiency in Children

For children, especially those with busy lifestyles or picky eating habits, magnesium plays a vital role. Deficiency signs include irritability, difficulty focusing, prolonged time to wind down at bedtime, irregular sleep patterns, and irregular bowel movements.

As Dr. Robertson explained, sugar consumption further depletes magnesium levels because the body requires magnesium to break down sugar into glucose. This means that children consuming high amounts of sugar are at a higher risk of magnesium deficiency. Thus, it’s essential to replenish their magnesium levels either through diet or supplements.

Dosage and Safety for Children

When it comes to magnesium supplementation for children, it is crucial to start with appropriate dosages. The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) suggests 80-100 milligrams for children, depending on their age and weight. Parents should avoid giving adult doses to children. However, if an overdose occurs, magnesium is generally safe, as the body excretes excess amounts, particularly if normal bowel and kidney functions are intact. Always consult a doctor before starting any new supplement regimen.

This conversation was so fun and we had so much information that we didnt even get to dive into. Make sure you download the podcast so you don’t miss our next conversation.

SHOW NOTES

Dr. Robert Fredrickson, DNM, DC, CFMP, is a doctor of natural medicine, doctor of chiropractic, and a functional medicine consultant who creates cutting-edge health and wellness programs designed exclusively for  busy individuals looking for a dynamic and efficient way to achieve better health and performance in all stages of life. He is also a clinical educator and trainer to numerous physicians and clinicians on functional nutrition, and is a podcast host to various health experts on the Fredrickson Health Show.

Robert believes fixing Magnesium deficiency is low hanging fruit to fixing the root cause of many disease states and conditions.

His recent book, Magnesium Answers outlines how to fix magnesium deficiency and so much more.

Check out Robert’s book on Amazon by clicking here:
Magnesium Answers- https://a.co/d/hLQFZ9x

You can connect with Robert on his website www.barracudanutrition.com and www.FredricksonHealthSolutions.com and be sure to follow him on social media:
Instagram- Dr.RobertFredrickson
TikTok- FredricksonHealth
YouTube- DrRobertFredrickson

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