On this episode of Sound Bites, Functional Medicine Practitioner, Dr Kirstin Lauritzen, discusses the importance of magnesium for our next nutrient highlight. Magnesium is a mineral that is absolutely essential. However, magnesium deficiency is very common amongst Americans and it's also a common deficiency amongst athletes. In this episode you'll learn why athletes are at a higher risk of deficiency and why magnesium is something you may want to start incorporating into your daily routine. Dr K also discusses most common food sources of magnesium, as well as the many different forms of magnesium in supplements so that you know what to look for next time you're searching for magnesium. Check out this episode of Sound Bites. Enjoy!
One correction from the episode - Dr K discussed how magnesium can help with dilation of blood vessels which is important for heart health and recovery. There is a difference between male and female physiology when it comes to vasodilation and recovery. Correction: the male physiology after exercise vasoconstricts so that blood rushes to the core and then the heart can pump oxygen and nutrient dense blood out to the muscles. Female physiology differs. Instead of shunting the blood to the core, the blood vessels tend to dilate. This is why some women will notice feeling light headed because the blood rushes out to the hands/feet/head. To combat this for better recovery, taking a cold shower right after working out (if you can tolerate it), can help to cause the skin and blood vessels to vasoconstrict pushing blood back to the core. This then allows for blood to be replenished and then re-circulated out to the muscles.
Host: Dr. Kirstin Lauritzen
Podcast length: 21 mins
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