Magnesium Deficiencies Can Contribute to Sleep Disorders, Premenstrual Syndrome and Hormonal Migraines

Women need magnesium to help combat common health conditions like premenstrual syndrome (PMS), hormonal migraines, anxiety and depression, says author of Super Woman RX Dr. Tasneem Bhatia (“Dr. Taz”), who has served as the medical expert for CNN Headline News and been featured on The Dr. Oz Show, TODAY, Access Hollywood LIVE, Good Morning America, EXTRA!, Live with Kelly & Ryan, and The Doctors.

Magnesium is the most common micronutrient deficiency, Dr. Taz says, and she recommends several ways to boost your magnesium levels, including eating magnesium-rich foods like leafy greens, almonds, and dark chocolate. She also suggests taking a magnesium supplement or soaking in Epsom salt, which is actually magnesium sulfate.

“Epsom salt has been used for centuries for its many healing properties,” said Dr. Taz, host of RadioMD’s The Dr. Taz Show podcast and the popular YouTube series, Kitchen Cures. “The magnesium and sulfate play a key role in reducing inflammation, flushing out toxins, and helping progress the absorption of nutrients.”

Magnesium is a foundational micronutrient for the hormone pathways, Dr. Taz says. As a result, magnesium deficiency could be a contributor to many common women’s health conditions, including endometriosis, polycystic ovarian syndrome, and hormonal migraines.

“These are all conditions of poor hormone metabolism, which means hormones like estrogen are not getting used correctly, allowing metabolites to build up creating a condition of estrogen dominance,” said Dr. Taz. “Add in magnesium, and hormones start moving down the right pathway, playing a clear role in solving these hormonal imbalances.”

An expert in women’s health, weight loss and nutrition, Dr. Taz recently released a book titled THE SUPER WOMAN RX: Unlock the Secrets to Lasting Health, Your Perfect Weight, Energy, and Passion with Dr. Taz's Power Type Plans. Drawing inspiration from conventional medicine, Chinese medicine and Ayurveda, Dr. Taz outlines five prescriptive plans based on a woman’s unique medical type to help shed pounds, decrease anxiety and depression, rejuvenate skin, and reduce PMS symptoms.

“Patients are often surprised when magnesium supplementation magically seems to ‘cure’ an ongoing sleep disorder, PMS, or constipation,” said Dr. Taz. “A small, inexpensive dose has a profound effect on so many different conditions.”

Magnesium also plays a role in neurotransmitter regulation, Dr. Taz says, so a magnesium deficiency could contribute to restless nights, restless legs, anxiety, ADHD and depression.

Dr. Taz recommends talking to your doctor and getting your magnesium levels checked to determine which magnesium supplement and dosage is best for you.