Eight ways that magnesium rescues hormones.
Karen Fitzpatrick-Dame, ChhC, AADP
Magnesium is part of the iodine protocol. It is also fantastic for hormone health and here's why:
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Regulates cortisol. It calms your nervous system and prevents excessive cortisol. Your stress hormonal system—also called your hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis—is your central hormonal system. When it functions well, then your other hormones (thyroid and reproductive hormones) will function well too.
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Reduces blood sugar and normalizes insulin. It’s so effective at improving insulin sensitivity that it is sometimes referred to as “natural metformin.” Healthy insulin sensitivity means fewer sugar cravings and is effective treatment for weight loss and PCOS.
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Supports thyroid. Magnesium is essential for the production of thyroid hormone. It is also anti-inflammatory, which helps to quiet the autoimmune inflammation that underlies most thyroid disease. Other ways to address thyroid autoimmunity include gluten-elimination and a selenium supplement.
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Aids sleep. Magnesium is the “great sleep-promoter,” and sleep is crucial for hormone production. Sleep is when we should enjoy a beneficial surge of anabolic hormones such as DHEA and growth hormone.
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Fuels cellular energy. It’s so intricately involved with mitochondria and energy production, that we can safely say: “Without magnesium, there is no cellular energy”. Hormonal tissue has a high metabolic rate, and so requires even more cellular energy and more magnesium than other tissue.
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Support healthy hormone response. It aids in the manufacture of steroid hormones including progesterone, estrogen, and testosterone. It also normalizes the action of progesterone on the central nervous system, which could be why it relieves symptoms of PMDD and menopause.
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Activates vitamin D. Without enough magnesium, vitamin D cannot do its job. Conversely, too much vitamin D supplementation causes magnesium deficiency.
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Slows aging. It prevents telomere shortening, reduces oxidative stress, and enhances the production of glutathione.
Magnesium is a big player in emergency rooms, where it treats heart arrhythmias, heart attack, and migraines. But it's also extremely effective in treating hormonal problems.
In addition to the above eight ways that magnesium rescues hormones, the mineral is also effective treatment for period pain, PMS, migraines, and the symptoms of all phases of menopause.
If you've run an RBC Magnesium test and results indicate you are low, the fastest way to build your magnesium stores is through Life's Healthiest Topical Magnesium application. You can use this in conjunction with oral magnesium if you are on The Iodine Protocol too.
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