Lets talk about MAGNESIUM

Vitamins and minerals can change everything for our overall health. From luscious locks to glowy skin and daily energy to better sleep. Surprisingly, we can have it all, with doctors and nutritionists claiming that the magic is in Magnesium.

Here is a breakdown of why we need to jump on the hype and boost our magnesium intake.

What is Magnesium?

To start with the basics, magnesium is a mineral – According to the National Institute of Health, it’s actually one of the most important minerals in the body as it supports healthy muscles, nerves, and bone function, regulates blood pressure, and is a great source of energy.

Low intake of magnesium can affect your levels of calcium and potassium. So, low magnesium causes low calcium and potassium levels, which can then cause symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, weakness, and nausea. Stress and anxiety can also affect your mineral balance. Magnesium typically lives inside our cells, but when we are faced with stress from work, deadlines at school, or our period or life is just kicking our ass, it forces the magnesium to move to the outside of our cells as a protective response to help us cope. Essentially, it causes an internal imbalance and you don’t feel any less crap.

How can we consume more?

Magnesium can be consumed through foods or a supplement. Foods high in magnesium include spinach, avocado, almonds, seeds, whole grains, and dark chocolate! (Doesn’t sound too bad at all)  
However, many of us aren’t consuming enough of these foods to enjoy the full benefits of magnesium and may need to take magnesium as a daily supplement to improve our intake.

Those of us who are active should pay extra attention to our intake, as minerals can be lost through working out and sweating. For those more active, it is even important to replenish those lost minerals and restore balance to our body.

Put all this together and many of us will have a low intake of this magnesium, so it would be beneficial to change up our diets or take magnesium supplements to enjoy all the amazing health benefits.

Health Benefits

1. Strengthen Bones
   Although most research focuses on the importance of calcium for bone health, magnesium is a mineral that is essential for strong bones. People with a higher intake of magnesium have a higher bone density with a reduced risk of bone fractures and osteoporosis (weak and brittle bones). 

2. Lower Blood Pressure
   A 2016 US trial found a link between magnesium intake and reduced blood pressure. The mineral, when taken in supplement form, has been found to help reduce blood pressure and improve blood flow around the body.

3. Help with Depression & Anxiety
   Magnesium plays a role in how the body responds to stress and anxiety. Chronic mental and physical stress can lower your magnesium levels over time. This will weaken your body’s mental defence system and intensify stress levels – a rubbish day just got even worse.
   Magnesium can affect the body’s response to stress and anxiety with studies suggesting that magnesium can help improve your body’s ability to handle stress.
   In addition to this, research has also shown that lower levels of magnesium can be linked to low mood and depression. This is because magnesium is linked to hormones and neurotransmitters in the brain that affect our moods, so increasing your intake of magnesium can help ease depression and improve overall mental health.

4. Ease Muscle Cramp
   This might actually be the most known benefit of magnesium and is highly recommended for those who suffer from aches and pains.
   This mineral is particularly important for those who work out regularly. Magnesium will regulate muscle contractions and will inhibit the production of excess calcium in your body. Without this balance, your muscles will begin to cramp. A balanced intake of magnesium will help your muscles relax after a workout, prevent inflammation, and relieve pain.

5. Improve Sleep
   Magnesium supplements are a popular calming mineral that can affect sleep patterns. This is because magnesium links to the neurotransmitters in the brain that calm and relax the nervous system and encourage sleep.
   Research suggests that magnesium improves the quality of sleep, and the time it takes to fall asleep and even provides us with energy the next morning.

Sounds like it does it all!

And that’s because it really does the most to help your body to feel its best. 

When it comes to any sort of supplements, always check with your doctor and make sure you are giving your body what it needs to be balanced and healthy. Fatigue, nausea, loss of appetite, and sore muscles are just a few hints from your body that you will need to level up your magnesium intake and restore balance to your body.

Now get those minerals and enjoy all the benefits!

Note: This is not a specialist or medical service. Always consult with a qualified health professional if you have any concerns regarding your mental and physical health.