Magnesium Deficiency!

I have been resting since the weekend. It has drained me emotionally and mentally as well as physically. I have been eating anything and everything in sight from Mexican food to Ihop! I don't feel well at all....I have a slight fever and body aches and think my sinuses are starting to act up. I have not worked out since last Wednesday........I go to Jr. Nationals in 2 WEEKS!! I have to get a hold of myself!! so, I decided to go see the Doctor. They took ex rays of my sinuses, they were fine. She listened to my heart and took my blood pressure....It was 132/84.....I am usually about 115/60....my resting heart rate was up to at around 88.....it is usually 68. I could tell my body was fighting something, craving something, wanting something.....my body fat is 9.4% which is very unhealthy......Last year I competed around 11-12% body fat. I decided to take another day off from work and rest. My blood work came back good except that it showed that my magnesium was very low. This could explain my cravings for the past month or so!!!! Cutting out bread, potatoes and regular water cuts out magnesium!! I am taking a magnesium pill now....stronger than the supplements I was taking. I researched this online and found an interesting article! http://www.wholehealthmd.com/hk/articles/view/0,1471,718,00.html Magnesium Deficiency, PMS & Chocolate Needless to say, the combination of sensory characteristics, nutritional profile, and psychoactive compounds, contributes to a sound explanation of why chocolate is so appealing. Some theories suggest that craving chocolate is associated with fluctuations in hormonal changes that occur just before and during the menstrual cycle, which may be the key to why women tend to be the predominant devotees of chocolate. Chocolate cravings may also indicate certain dietary deficiencies such as magnesium. Chocolate as well as cocoa powder contain high amounts of magnesium (100mg/100g and 520mg/100g, respectively), and some studies have shown magnesium supplements to subdue symptoms of craving for chocolate. Chocolate cravings may be a way of compensating for low levels of neurotransmitters (serotonin and dopamine) involved in the regulation of mood and food intake. Studies have shown magnesium deficiency correlates with increased symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Dopamine, a neurotransmitter that relays signals of euphoria, well-being, and satisfaction to the brain, is depleted when magnesium deficiency occurs. This may lend some credence to the notion that magnesium deficiency contributes to the increase in chocolate cravings associated with PMS. Whatever the scientific explanation, just remember, you aren't alone in your love of chocolate. According to recent statistics, more than one billion people worldwide consume some form of chocolate every day. Americans eat about 12 pounds of chocolate a year. Date Posted: 02/14/2000 WOW!! I learn something new every day! Without good note taking and documentation of my food intake and supplements and workouts, it would be extremely hard to come up with an answer! I think I have over done my self this year! Like they say, "If it ain't broke, why try and fix it?"