hair mineral analysis, heavy metals, Magnesium, minerals, Supplements

My Magnesium Hack

When you find a hack you love, sometimes you just have to share it!

Most people are deficient in the mineral magnesium. Magnesium is important for so many things. They call magnesium, “the calming mineral”. I feel much calmer since discovering my hack that I share in this post.

Magnesium is the fourth most abundant mineral in the body and supports more than 300 enzyme systems. It supports normal energy release, regulation of the body temperature, nerve function, adaptation to stress, metabolism and much more. One of the main mechanisms of magnesium in the body is its support of normal protein synthesis. Normal protein synthesis relies on optimal magnesium concentrations, as magnesium supports the normal delivery to the building blocks of life – our DNA – of signals that triggering the expression of amino acids. In other words, this process supports the body’s normal ability to “make” proteins.

The recommended daily value for adults is 400 mg of magnesium. However, average daily intakes are much less. A study published in the Journal of Nutrition found that most U.S. adults – especially those over the age of 30 – were receiving, on average, approximately 290 mg of magnesium daily. That study also showed that dietary intake is particularly low among women. Unfortunately, inadequate levels of magnesium have been linked to poorer concentration, memory and cognitive function and muscle discomfort. Sleep quality is associated with higher levels of magnesium and when these levels are low, sleep quality may suffer.

Here are 10 Key Roles of Magnesium in a Nutshell:

1) Magnesium helps to maintain normal muscle function.

2) Magnesium helps to maintain normal nerve function.

3) Magnesium helps to keep heart rhythm steady.

4) Magnesium supports a healthy immune system.

5) Magnesium helps to keep bones strong.

6) Magnesium helps regulate blood sugar levels.

7) Magnesium helps to promote normal blood pressure.

8) Magnesium is involved in energy metabolism and protein synthesis.

9) Magnesium serves as a building block for RNA and DNA synthesis.

10) Magnesium is a precursor for neurotransmitters like serotonin.

It is estimated that 80% of the North American population is deficient in Magnesium.

So with that said, I personally have taken a hair mineral analysis to find out that I too, am magnesium deficient even though I take supplementation! There are many factors that can affect mineral absorption and uptake in the body and heavy metals can play a key role in mineral deficiency.


Heavy metals are very toxic and they can interrupt the absorption, metabolism, and use of essential minerals, such as magnesium, calcium, iron, and zinc. This leads to a deficiency of some minerals, which can cause health issues. There are several ways metals and minerals interact with one another that impact your susceptibility to toxic metals and increase your risk of experiencing negative health effects, including serious health issues and deficiencies like magnesium deficiency. For more info on hair mineral analysis which checks for the presence of heavy metals in the body and mineral deficiencies go to www.SuperiorHairAnalysis.com.

So onto my hack. I have found something that I have been using which is an easy way to add in more magnesium. I find that both for myself and my clients, nothing works unless you use it and that is why I love this product, I find I am very good at adding it into my daily routine so it is helping me increase my magnesium levels on a daily basis and it is enjoyable to use!

It is a magnesium lotion with great ingredients like organic coconut oil, shea butter and has no scent! I love it. It is my new go-to hand lotion and I smile everytime I use it because I love it on my hands and I know it has added benefits that have a huge impact on my health.

This lotion contains 185 mg of elemental magnesium per teaspoon so I use it a few times a day to add in the extra magnesium I need. And as an added bonus it even has the added benefit of containing Lactobacillus ferment, a potent probiotic, which I love.

The product description

Formulated for even the most sensitive individuals, Ancient Minerals Magnesium Lotion is designed to deliver magnesium through the skin, direct to the cells.

  • Ideal for children and sensitive individuals
  • Highly therapeutic for psoriasis, eczema, and other skin conditions
  • Significant for massage applications
  • Effective at encouraging healthy skin tissue

Here is the link for Canada only for more info.

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Let me know if you have any questions about this product or anything else.

Maggie Holbik.com is a Board Certified Nutritionist and Certified Life Coach who has been assisting individuals with enhancing their health through diet and supplementation for over 20 years and has a vast knowledge of supplements, supplemental delivery systems, and also specializes in the role of heavy metal toxicity in regard to wellness protocols.

hair mineral analysis, heavy metals, minerals, selenium

The Critical Role of Selenium

Selenium is a trace mineral and although your body only needs small amounts, these are critical to your health and vitality. Selenium deficiency is quite common in this part of the world. For example, large areas of North America are deficient in soil selenium levels. For those of us living in Ontario, Canada, this includes large parts of Ontario. Soil deficiency usually translates into human deficiency.

Low Selenium Levels Common

As a Health Coach who utilizes Hair Mineral Analysis testing, I almost always see low levels of selenium in my client’s lab results. It is the very reason that has prompted me to write this blog post!

Selenium acts also as a very powerful antioxidant helping to combat free radicals in the body and reduce oxidative stress. Oxidative stress has been linked to chronic diseases like heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and cancer, as well as premature aging and the risk of stroke.

Selenium is an essential component of glutathione peroxidase, which protects the body from a vast array of toxins including free radicals and heavy metals, particularly Mercury. Selenium and glutathione peroxidase levels are often low in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, eczema, and psoriasis and may be low in most inflammatory conditions.

Selenium also helps to maintain normal liver function and protein synthesis. The liver is critical to ‘life’ and it is probably the most important area of the body to support overall health and wellbeing.

Selenium in necessary for the health of the heart and other muscles. It has been reported to improve the function of the mitochondria (the energy producing units of cells) by protecting them from lack of oxygen. This may account for the fact that selenium supplementation has been found to be effective in the treatment of chest pains associated with heart disease (angina pectoris). Selenium is also required for the production of a specific type of hormone-like substance called prostaglandin, which, among other things, helps regulate blood pressure.

Selenium is important for the proper functioning of the thyroid gland. In fact, thyroid tissue contains a higher amount of selenium than any other organ in the human body.

This powerful mineral helps protect the thyroid against oxidative damage and also plays an essential role in the production of thyroid hormones.

Selenium may also protect the body against contaminants such as mercury, cadmium, and silver.

Source: 1. Yoon SO, Kim MM, Chung AS. Inhibitory effect of selenite on invasion of ht1080 tumor cells. J Biol Chem. 2001;276:20085-20092.

In populations at higher risk for prostate cancer, selenium supplements decreased risk and growth rate of tumors.

Source:
3. Costello AJ. A randomized, controlled chemoprevention trial of selenium in familial prostate cancer

Selenium supplements may also be able to halt the growth of polyps in the colon and reduce the risk of lung and liver cancers.

Source: 4. Chigbrow M, Nelson M. Inhibition of mitotic cyclin B and cdc2 kinase activity by selenomethionine in synchronized colon cancer cells. Anticancer Drugs. 2001;12:43-50.

There are many studies that have shown that the lower the intake of selenium, the higher the incidence of cancer of the colon, breast, pancreas, ovary, bladder, prostate, rectum, skin and lungs. In a recent study (Environ Health Prev Med, 14,261,2009) Selenium has an inverse correlation with cancer (higher levels of selenium – lower levels of cancer). Other conditions that have been reported to respond to supplementation with selenium include AIDS, allergies, arteriosclerosis, cataracts, macular degeneration, multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis.

I have really only skimmed the surface here on the importance of selenium, but I encourage each and everyone of you to explore the role of selenium in your daily life. I just stopped typing to go and take my selenium supplements right now!

If you need help with a good quality supplement choice, please reach out to me and I can help you with that. You may also desire to have a Hair Mineral Analysis test done. This test checks for the presence of heavy metals and mineral deficiencies like selenium. For more info here is a link to my website for that Hair Mineral Analysis Info

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One of the best food sources for selenium are brazil nuts. Try adding at least 3 a day into your diet.

Some other food sources grains, some vegetables, lentils, meats, dairy products, canned tuna. Unfortunately foods like canned tuna can add to the heavy metal load in the body and brain. Also, meats and dairy products can feed pathogens in the body like Ebstein-Barr Virus which is now being linked to many diseases such as MS, Fibro, RA, and more, so choose your foods carefully for various reasons. I highly recommend supplementing with selenium to ensure adequate levels.

Here is a link to more info about Mystery Illness and EBV My EBV & Mystery Illness Blog Post

Maggie Holbik.com is a Board Certified Nutritionist and Certified Life Coach who works with clients all over the world. She is an avid researcher and studies consistently on the latest research and information available on both heavy metals and nutrition as well as the implications of nutritional deficiencies when it comes to the body and brain.

My favorite non-toxic cleaner, SNAP All Purpose Natural Concentrate… great for washing veggies!