"At 66, I'm a physician, and I yearn to have the knowledge I possess now in my 30s and 40s"
Dr. Mark Burhenne, a renowned family dentist and creator of the online series Ask the Dentist, has shared his essential daily health tip: taking magnesium. The 66-year-old specialist in functional dentistry and preventative healthcare believes that starting his daily magnesium intake in his 30s and 40s could have prevented various health issues.
Magnesium, an essential mineral for healthy muscles, nerves, bones, and blood sugar levels, plays a crucial role in our body. According to Dr. Burhenne, a deficiency in magnesium can lead to anxiety, poor sleep, muscle cramps, and stress overload.
Here are five key reasons why Dr. Burhenne advocates for magnesium:
- Stress reduction and improved sleep: Magnesium helps the brain produce melatonin and prevents the nervous system from staying in "fight-or-flight" mode, supporting better sleep and reduced stress.
- Cardiovascular health: Magnesium helps keep blood pressure in check, prevents arterial stiffness, and aids muscle relaxation, benefiting heart health since the heart is a muscle needing magnesium as a natural "brake" against calcium's "gas pedal" effect.
- Dental health—healthy gums and teeth: Magnesium contributes to maintaining bright gums and strong teeth.
- Fewer cavities from improved saliva production: Magnesium deficiency may reduce saliva output, leading to dry mouth and a higher cavity risk.
- Fewer cracks in teeth: Adequate magnesium helps prevent tooth cracks, supported by solid scientific evidence.
Additional benefits mentioned by Dr. Burhenne include better energy via improved mitochondrial function and clearer skin. He emphasizes that modern lifestyles—with stress, processed foods, coffee, and alcohol—often lead to subclinical magnesium deficiency requiring supplementation.
The Australian government health website HealthDirect provides green leafy vegetables, legumes, nuts and seeds, and wholegrains as foods naturally high in magnesium. However, Dr. Burhenne states that he does not rely on food for optimal magnesium levels due to depleted soil, modern environment, and modern lifestyle.
Dr. Burhenne has seen patients improve their sleep and oral health by taking magnesium. He recommends magnesium glycinate, which is claimed to improve sleep and enhance vitamin D absorption, beneficial for bone health.
Remember, it's essential to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new supplement regimen.
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