Dr Carolyn Dean has a book called The Magnesium Miracle actually. :)
Here is some info from Dr Hyman's article: Magnesium: Meet the Most Powerful Relaxation Mineral Available...
"Stop Draining Your Body of Magnesium
Limit coffee, colas, salt, sugar, and alcohol
Learn how to practice active relaxation
Check with your doctor if your medication is causing magnesium loss (many high blood pressure drugs or diuretics cause loss of magnesium)
Eat Foods High in Magnesium
Include the following in your diet as often as you can:
Kelp, wheat bran, wheat germ, almonds, cashews, buckwheat, brazil nuts, dulse, filberts, millet, pecans, walnuts, rye, tofu, soy beans, brown rice, figs, dates, collard greens, shrimp, avocado, parsley, beans, barley, dandelion greens, and garlic
Take Magnesium Supplements
The RDA (the minimum amount needed) for magnesium is about 300 mg a day. Most of us get far less than 200 mg.
Some may need much more depending on their condition.
Most people benefit from 400 to 1,000 mg a day.
The most absorbable forms are magnesium citrate, glycinate, taurate, or aspartate, although magnesium bound to Kreb cycle chelates (malate, succinate, fumarate) are also good.
Avoid magnesium carbonate, sulfate, gluconate, and oxide. They are poorly absorbed (and the cheapest and most common forms found in supplements).
Side effects from too much magnesium include diarrhea, which can be avoided if you switch to magnesium glycinate.
Most minerals are best taken as a team with other minerals in a multi-mineral formula.
Taking a hot bath with Epsom salts (magnesium sulfate) is a good way to absorb and get much needed magnesium.
People with kidney disease or severe heart disease should take magnesium only under a doctor’s supervision."
Sounds like a miracle drug! I've had a lot of blood work done in the last 2 months and nobody has mentioned a low magnesium level. I realize that doesn't always mean the doctors wouldn't see a below average level and pay it much attention. I have SO many of the symptoms you listed......is it a safe supplement? How much should I take? Any side effects?
I really appreciate your advice and I'll let you know if it helps.
Thanks again
~RW
Give magnesium a try. Magnesium levels drop at night btw.
Excerpt from Best Magnesium Citrate - How to Fix Heart Palpitations or Irregular Heart Beat...
"It has been found that 4 out of 5 people in the US (or 80%) are deficient in magnesium. If you are experiencing 2 or 3 of the following symptoms, you probably are one of them.
- heart palpitations, heart arrhythmias
- chest tightness
- urinary spasms
- constipation
- menstrual cramps, premenstrual irritability
- difficulty swallowing, a feeling of a lump in the throat
- insomnia
- light sensitivity, loud noise sensitivity
- high blood pressure
- numbness, tingling, zips, zaps and other vibratory sensations
- being uptight or prone to temper
- muscle twitches, soreness, cramps, spasms, tension, tightness
- back aches, neck pain
- headaches, migraines
- jaw joint problems
- needing to sigh a lot, unable to take a deep breath
- hiccups
- leg spasms, charlie horses, restless leg syndrome
- anxiety, panic attacks
- hyperactivity
- angina"