In the rush to follow the latest health trends, we may find ourselves choosing vitamin-enriched fizzy beverages, diet colas, or flavored teas. While our intentions to make healthy selections are usually intact, we often forget the importance of drinking plain water to remain hydrated. When we consume artificially flavored beverages, we vastly increase our intake of phosphates, which can increase the symptoms of disorders such as autism, insomnia, and anxiety. Those who are affected by these disabilities often have decreased levels of magnesium. Consumption of phosphates further depletes magnesium in the body.
Magnesium is a mineral that is essential for cell functioning. Most magnesium in the body is stored within tissues, and one of the first signs of magnesium deficiency is muscle cramping or spasms. The central nervous system relies on magnesium to regulate healthy sleep cycles, balanced stress response, and calmness. Decreased magnesium levels can lead to insomnia, irritability, aggression, and panic attacks. Children with autism are often very sensitive to low magnesium levels, and can experience “zapping” or electrical sensations in the brain, disorientation, and clouded thinking. Sensory overload can become more intolerable, leading to a decrease in attention span and increase in aggressive behaviors.
When magnesium levels are low, large amounts of calcium are excreted through urine, leading to a calcium deficiency. Low calcium levels increase the risks for tooth decay, broken bones, and poor bone development. When both magnesium and calcium are depleted, copper builds up in the body. Copper normally binds to magnesium and calcium, and when it is excessive and unbound, it depletes vitamin B6 levels, which are crucial for sleep. As you can see, phosphates can cause quite a chain reaction in the body! Below is a list of ingredients to look for on your beverage labels. Avoid drinking beverages with these ingredients as much as possible, and increase your intake of pure water:
Phosphoric Acid
Sodium Polyphosphate
Pyrophosphate
Sodium Tripolyphosphate
Polyphosphate
Tricalcium Phosphate
Hexametaphosphate
Trisodium Phosphate
Dicalcium Phosphate
Sodium Phosphate
Monocalcium Phosphate
Aluminum Phosphate
What can you do to rebalance your body when detoxing from phosphates?
1. Increase your intake of magnesium by taking a supplement containing calcium, magnesium, and zinc.
2. Reach for foods with a high magnesium content, such as dark leafy greens, nuts, fish, and legumes.
3. Epsom salt baths can be helpful in relaxing sensory overload, restlessness, and insomnia, especially for children with autism. The magnesium is absorbed through the skin to help with muscle relaxation, and the natural sulfates in the salt help to break down phenols (many children with autism have sulfate deficiencies due to an under active liver enzyme called PST). Epsom salt baths are also great for women who experience migraines or PMS symptoms, because hormonal fluctuation often leads to a magnesium deficiency (there is a reason we crave chocolate during certain times of the month: it’s loaded with magnesium!)
