Doctor, 66, reveals one thing he wished he knew in his 30s that could have major health benefits
Topics: Health, Social Media
Britt Jones
Featured Image Credit: Instagram/@askthedentist
Topics: Health, Social Media
A dentist has revealed something that he wished he’d done for his health sooner, and you might not expect what he says.
The US dentist said there is just one habit he regrets not picking up, which could change your health for the better.
Dr Mark Burhenne, who is the creator of the social media account Ask The Dentist, is a family dentist who specialises in functional dentistry and preventative healthcare.
He explained that there’s something you could be taking that should be part of your daily health journey, and after reading what he says, you’ll likely listen to him.
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In an Instagram post, the dentist said that he wished he'd begun taking magnesium sooner, writing: “I am 66 years old. Something I wish I knew in my 30s and 40s… daily magnesium is one of your highest ROI habits for your brain, heart, muscles, sleep, and yes… even your smile.”
According to Healthline, magnesium may help to lower blood pressure, reduce the risk of stroke, cardiovascular disease, and type 2 diabetes, as well as improve bone health and prevent migraine headaches.
In his video's caption, he even offered five reasons why people need more magnesium, starting with stress.
He said that eating processed food, undergoing stress, drinking coffee and alcohol, among other things, can make our bodies need more of the supplement.
He wrote: "Translation: most of us are walking around subclinically deficient, even if we're eating 'well'."
It’s also fabulous for sleep as it ‘helps your brain make melatonin and keeps your nervous system from staying in 'fight-or-flight' mode.’
He shared his observations on how certain patients respond to treatment, noting that they can transform from being ‘restless, jaw-clenching, grinding-insomniacs’ to 'I slept through the night for the first time in years' simply by receiving the magnesium their bodies need.
It’s also good for your cardiovascular health, too, as he said it 'keeps blood pressure in check and prevents arterial stiffness', adding: “The heart is a muscle, and magnesium is the mineral that makes muscles relax after they contract. If calcium is the 'gas pedal', magnesium is the ‘brake’. You need both - but most people are way over on the calcium side.”
As a dentist, he has a vested interest in teeth, which is why he noted that it helps our gums and teeth to look bright.
He said this is because ‘magnesium helps regulate calcium placement - which means it helps keep calcium in your bones and teeth and out of soft tissues like arteries’.
“It's also essential for activating vitamin D (which in turn affects enamel remineralisation and immune defence in the mouth),” he added.
It also helps to calm out the nervous system, as he notes that you’ll know you’re low on it if you’re prone to anxiety, poor sleep, muscle cramps and stress.
Healthline further states the recommended daily amounts for women is 330mg and 400 mg for men, promoting things like bone health, blood sugar, regular heart rhythms, pain reduction and more.