The link between alcohol and magnesium

Alcohol is the world's most socially acceptable recreational drug. Grab a glass of wine and unwind from a long day. Have a bbq and invite friends over for some beers. Alcohol has its place in many people's lives but it doesn't come without consequences to the body. One of the effects of alcohol on the body is it depletes the body's magnesium levels which causes all kinds of symptoms. The depletion of magnesium levels from alcohol could lead to the eventual abuse in alcohol because the side effects such as depression and anxiety can result in drinking becoming habitual or a crutch that many find themselves navigating through.

The Effects of Alcohol on the Body

Drinking moderately is equal to one drink (12 oz.) per day for women and two drinks for men. Drinking in moderation can be safe and can cause reduced anxiety, relaxation, sociability and a feeling of being happy. Drinking more than this can put you at risk of all kinds of health problems. Alcohol in higher amounts can cause intoxication, questionable judgement, diminished motor function and lack of awareness. Long term use of alcohol at high doses can lead to alcohol dependence, abuse and sometimes death. 

Alcohol is considered a depressant. A depressant is "a drug that lowers neurotransmission levels, which is to depress or reduce arousal or stimulation, in various areas of the brain."    It slows down breathing, heart rate and the parts of the brain that affect thinking and behavior. The depressant part of alcohol is usually what causes the negative effects and consequences from drinking. 

Too much alcohol consumption can lead to many health issues in the body. Alcohol prevents the absorption of nutrients into the bloodstream leading to a deficiency in all nutrients, including magnesium. Alcohol severly affects the digestion system and can cause harm to the stomach and digestive lining causing an array of health problems.

Magnesium and the Body

Magnesium is the mineral responsible for organ function. Every organ in the body uses magnesium. It regulates 300 enzymes in the body. In general it is difficult for people to get enough magnesium from diet alone. Combining a low magnesium diet with alcohol at any level taps into the magnesium storage. Thus, it is common for people to be deficient in magnesium. It is said about 80% of Americans are not getting enough magnesium. 

Symptoms of Magnesium Deficiency

  • irritability
  • joint pain
  • muscle aches
  • anxiety
  • insomnia or reduced sleep
  • low energy
  • depression
  • restless leg syndrome

There have been a multitude of studies done linking magnesium to many roles in the overall function of the body. It is responsible for hundreds of biochemical reactions in the body. It contributes to bone health. 60% of magnesium found in the body is in the bone. Magnesium has anti-inflammatory properties. It reduces insulin resistance. It also helps prevent migranes, lowers blood pressure, improves sleep, promotes good muscle strength, aids in weight loss, fights depression and enhances exercise performance. 

The Link Between Alcohol and Magnesium

There have been many studies connecting alcohol use to the depletion of magnesium in the body. A study that was carried out in Finland in 1986 concluded that magnesium deficiency was common among alcoholics. Another study also concluded that magnesium deficiency was linked to alcohol abuse and health problems. The studies go on and on connecting alcohol use to magnesium deficiency. 
 
​Drinking too much alcohol leads to an increase in the excretion of magnesium. Experts have claimed that the kidneys eliminate as much as 260% more magnesium within just a few minutes of consuming alcohol.

The more alcohol one drinks and the duration of time, the more the magnesium supplies in the body are depleted. This is why as you get older if alcohol has been a constant, presumably so will the increase in aches and pains, irritability, anxiety and depression. You will find that for those that alcohol has completely taken over their lives, they have little or no magnesium left in their bodies.

Ways To Get Magnesium in the Body

​Supplements:
Take a magnesium supplement 300-450 mg/day.

Soak in Water:
Soak in a bath of warm water with Epson Salt and/or Magnesium Flakes. Magnesium will absorb through the skin.
 
Foods with Magnesium:​

  • Avocados
  • Bananas
  • Spinach
  • Kale
  • Seaweed
  • Nuts
  • Seeds
  • Black Beans
  • Halibut
  • Mackerel
  • Salmon
  • Dark Chocolate

Magnesium on the Skin:
Lather the skin with magnesium lotion or spray. The skin will absorb the magnesium. You can get Lotion and spray at a store that carries natural products or make it yourself. (Recipes below)
​
Magnesium Lotion Recipe

Ingredients:

Directions:

  1. Measure magnesium flakes into a mug. Fill another coffee mug. you can bring water to boil on the stove. Measure 3 Tbsp of boiling water into the mug with the flakes. Stir until the flakes are dissolved and set aside.
  2. In the quart mason jar, measure coconut oil, beeswax and shea butter. Place the jar in a small pan filled with 1-2 inches of water. Place it on the stove and turn the heat to medium high.
  3. Allow the solids to melt, swirling the jar now occasionally if necessary.
  4. When everything inside the jar is melted, remove it from the pan and let it cool for about 5 minutes.
  5. Pour the dissolved magnesium into the quarter mason jar. If it solidifies upon contact, that’s ok.
  6. Place the blender at the bottom of the jar and blend everything together really well, moving the blender up and down along the sides of the jar as necessary to incorporate the ingredients.

*This makes about 8 ounces of lotion. Store at room temperature for up to 2 months.

Magnesium Spray Recipe

Ingredients:

Directions:

  1. Boil the distilled water. 
  2. Place the magnesium chloride flakes in the glass bowl or measuring cup and the pour the boiling water over it.
  3. Stir well until completely dissolved.
  4. Let cool completely and store in the spray bottle.

*Can be stored at room temperature for at least six months.

On a personal note:

I have experienced magnesium deficiency associated with drinking too much alcohol that led me to have anxiety and depression. I discovered the link between magnesium and alcohol many years ago and I have been making sure I add magnesium in some form to my life ever since.  It really helps me. When I forget, I can really tell the difference.

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By Alex Du Toit / Master of Arts in Psychology, Registered Yoga Instructor, Environmentalist, ​Healthy Lifestyle Expert

WHO is Earthie Mama?

​Earthie Mama was founded by Alexandra Du Toit. Alex is a prolific author, and published journalist writing for many of the web's largest news sources like Natural News, Wake Up World, Yahoo, New Dawn Magazine, Sivana East and Vivid Life. She is a Holistic Lifestyle advocate and (R)evolutionary speaker, learning and spreading her messages from Africa to North and South America.  She also has her own Earthie Mama product line that are all made from the highest quality ingredients from the Earth! Her ultimate mission and purpose is to educate and help others learn their own way to a healthy holistic lifestyle where they have reached balance and on a path to thrive!

GROWING UP...

Alex grew up in Los Angeles in a world that did not include the teaching of the intrinsic connection to the Earth. However, intuitively she always knew that she was meant to be a guardian for the Earth.  She had a desire to help others learn how to help the Earth and how to use the Earth to help each one of us.  At just 12 years old, Alex learned about the abusive treatment of animals in the testing of most commercially used body care products.  She quickly used her passion and became an animal rights advocate, giving talks about the importance of boycotting such companies. She started collecting and recycling bottles before there were recycling programs. As soon as she was finished with her extremely academic, all girls private school education. Alex went to the University of Southern California were she received her BA in Environmental Studies. She was one of the first graduates of the new Environmental Studies program and she was in her element.  After graduating, she became a mother to a baby girl, Cassidy Grace.  During her pregnancy, she went into a sacred space of spiritual evolution and personal development. A few years later, Alex, her husband, daughter and 2 dogs went on what would be a five year journey living in the beautiful 'mother city' of Cape Town, South Africa. 

While living in South Africa, she continued her 10 year practice in Yoga where she received certification in one of the most challenging and ancient forms of Yoga, Ashtanga Yoga.  She also gave birth to her second daughter, Zoe Rose.  Living in South Africa, (a third world country, there was no emphasis on environmental sustainability), Alex took it into her own hands and convinced her husband to turn their home into an eco-friendly home.   They had solar panels heating the pool, they attached pipes from the washing machine into the garden, they collected all of the recycling materials and reused them or took them to a recycling facility, after bathing their daughter, they would bucket the water to the grass, and they began a veggie garden and planted fruit trees.  They made eco-friendly laundry detergent and soaps and grew sprouts in their kitchen. This lifestyle of living in harmony with the Earth really felt in alignment with Alex's true purpose. After returning to the US, Alex continued her personal development by studying Psychology, receiving her Masters in Psychology from Phillips Graduate Institute.

Alex took some time off to embrace the pregnancy of her third daughter, Skyler Jade. Her two previous births were hospital births, both having unnecessary complications or surgeries resulting from the drugs and medical practices administered to her. Alex felt like her births were more about the 'business of birthing' and less about allowing babies to enter the world in the way that they choose. Alex took the most natural approach to birthing her third baby and wanted to gain her power back.  She and her husband delivered Skyler in water in the same room she was conceived in without assistance.  Alex spent her entire 41 week pregnancy, meditating, visualizing and figuring out how to control her mind in order to completely let go of fear.  She did and her baby was born in the exact way she envisioned in 90 minutes, pushing her out in water and without any pain.

To read the Birth Story, CLICK HERE.Birth Story  Since, Skyler's birth, Alex has began to be known as the ultimate Earthie Mama.  Her awareness, patience and ability to remain grounded while chaos surrounds her is remarkable.  She is constantly finding ways to heal oneself with elements already here on the Earth. 

EARTHIE MAMA PRODUCT LINE

Alex and her family decided to get out of the 'rat race' of life and discover a different way of living. Alex, her husband, 3 daughters, 3 dogs and 1 cat put everything in storage to embark on a journey to Costa Rica.  During the duration of their time living there, Alex began using all of her knowledge to make body care products for the family as all the products that were available for purchase where full toxic chemicals. All of the recipes that Alex formulated she would put into a blog. To her surprise her audience grew rapidly and people began asking her if she would sell her products. This was the beginning of the ​Earthie Mama Product line. After returning from Costa Rica, Alex began retailing all of her product formulations.  Now she sells bulk/wholesale orders all over the country as well as online all over the world. She continues to create and discover new natural ways of healing.

Alex  lives in Bend, Oregon with her husband of 20 years and 3 beautiful daughters.  Alex's first priority in life is raising conscious children and becoming self-sustainable.  She has been able to run a successful business while being at home with her children, growing food, raising farm animals and living the life she has always dreamed of. 

(Source: earthiemama.com; January 26, 2019; https://tinyurl.com/y78s9o6f)
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