Minerals before Medication

Are you nutrient deficient or need to supplement your diet with pharmaceuticals?

Before I went in for my blood tests I was experiencing more brain fog, irritability, muscle soreness, anxiety and mood swings. When I say mood swings I mean it! After my morning routine feeling my Zenobian warrior vibes strong ready to take on the world! Yet by 10 am melting down over the placement of a banister. Once bedtime rolls around I’m anxious again. Will I have trouble falling asleep or will I wake up to muscle cramps and sweats around 3 am. The irritability was, and still does, a threat to my whole personality. The brain fog I blamed on my three kids ended up on the list of symptoms of my untreated mineral deficiency due to PERIMENOPAUSE.

The minerals my body was craving also some of the culprits disturbing my mood and sleep. I was perscribed Magnesium, Folic Acid (I have the MTHFR gene so take a methalated version,) and Omega 3 Fatty Acids. Now other minerals that are essential to menopausal health are Vitamin C, Vitamin D, and Calcium. I was already on top of those.

Magnesium is considered the menopause chill pill. It’s suggested that most women try magnesium glycinate or citrate supplement if sleep or anxiety is a big issue. Foods that are natural sources of magnesium are Swiss chard, spinach, cashews, pumpkin seeds, black beans, avocados, and 70%+ dark chocolate. You will always find dark chocolate bars on the top shelf in my kitchen. I had been eating most of these foods on a regular basis so decided to add a scoop of Thorne’s Magnesium Bisglycinate Powder to my night time glass of water. Within 3 weeks I felt less irritable and rested. It was almost unsettling since my body had adjusted to my internal chaos for so many years. Grateful but still adjusting to calmness in my body. Sounds odd but for me internal emotional chaos has become my baseline.

Folate or Folic Acid is key to cell regeneration (feeling youthful, energetic) and supports mood. I also found out it’s critical for brain and heart health. Great foods full of it are dark leafy greens, lentils, black beans, avocados, beets, and asparagus. I didn’t find out I was a MTHFR carrier until after the birth of my 3rd child. That ment ALLLLL of the pre-natal vitamins that cost hundreds of dollars and I ingested before, during and after all of my pregnancies was striping my body of these important minerals. I believe I am still recovering from this. When you have adequate folate/ folic acid your body is able to safely detox which is a no brainer for overall health and wellness.

The inflammation fighter is known as Omega-3 Fatty Acids. Known to balance mood, cool off those hot flashes, and support brain and heart health. Boy did I need more of these fatty acids in my life. My 81 year old mother was diagnosed with a heart erythema years ago and I’m no doctor but have a hunch all the non-metholated vitamins she took put her heart at risk. I don’t eat a lot of fish but, salmon, sardines and mackerel are great natural sources. Vegetarian option is algal oil. I do love my flax seed (meal,) chia seeds, hemp seeds and walnuts.

Nutrient deficiencies can worsen symptoms like hot flashes, fatigue, anxiety, and sleep disruption. Before reaching for pharmaceuticals, it’s wise to build a solid nutritional foundation—most of our bodies are calling for more nourishment. Another piece of this complex puzzle is our guts ability (rather inability) to absorb the minerals & nutrients that we feed it. Homozygous gut biome is a cause for poor gut health. We may be eating all the right foods and still feeling sluggish, fatigued, sore and irritable. It’s time to tend to our gut health. My go to is Zach Bush’s dirt water (ION water &/ or nasal spray.)

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

DIRT WATER

Magnesium

Demystifying Menopause one mackerel at a time!