Magnesium is an indispensable mineral that plays a vital role in keeping your body functioning optimally. Yet, despite its importance, many people are unaware of its significance. Magnesium is involved in over 300 enzyme systems that regulate key functions such as muscle and nerve activity, blood pressure, and energy production. Due to modern diets and lifestyle factors, a lot of people is deficient in this critical nutrient.

Why Magnesium Matters

Magnesium is crucial for maintaining good health, supporting a wide range of bodily functions. It regulates nerve impulses, ensures proper muscle contraction, helps control blood glucose, and is essential for the structural development of bones. Magnesium also aids in the transport of calcium and potassium across cell membranes, a process necessary for normal heart rhythm and nerve conduction.

Top Health Benefits of Magnesium

• Promotes Better Sleep: Magnesium is essential for the brain's GABA receptors, which play a key role in relaxation and sleep. Supplementing magnesium can help reduce insomnia and enhance sleep quality.

• Eases Headaches: Studies have shown that magnesium deficiency is common in people who suffer from migraines. Magnesium helps relax blood vessels, reducing the frequency and intensity of headaches.

• Relieves Muscle Cramps: If you're frequently experiencing muscle cramps, low magnesium may be the cause. This mineral plays a key role in neuromuscular transmission, helping to alleviate cramping and muscle spasms.

• Supports Digestive Health: Magnesium helps soften stool by drawing water into the intestines, making it useful for managing constipation. This is especially beneficial for older adults or individuals on medications that cause digestive issues.

• Calms You Down: Magnesium has a calming effect on the nervous system, helping to promote relaxation and reduce stress. It plays a key role in balancing neurotransmitters, which can aid in unwinding after a long day.

• Curbs Cravings: A magnesium deficiency can sometimes present itself as cravings, particularly for chocolate. Ensuring adequate magnesium intake can help curb those cravings by addressing the underlying nutrient deficiency.

• Lulls You to Sleep: Magnesium can improve sleep by promoting relaxation. By aiding the function of GABA receptors, it helps your body and mind unwind, giving you a better night's rest.

• Boosts Cognitive Function: Magnesium is vital for brain health, improving memory, cognitive flexibility, and neuroplasticity. It also plays a preventive role in age-related memory decline.

• Enhances Energy Levels: Magnesium is required for ATP production, the energy currency of the body. It helps convert glucose into energy, combating fatigue and supporting daily vitality.

• Fights Constipation: Magnesium citrate, in particular, is effective in managing constipation. Taking it at night can help soften stool and ensure regular bowel movements by morning.

• Reduces Anxiety: Magnesium helps regulate NMDA receptors in the brain, which are involved in the stress response. Adequate magnesium levels can promote relaxation and reduce symptoms of anxiety.

• Strengthens Bones: Working alongside calcium and vitamin D, magnesium contributes to stronger bones, reducing the risk of fractures and osteoporosis. 

• Aids in Managing ADHD: Regular magnesium intake can improve neurotransmitter function, helping to reduce the symptoms of ADHD, such as inattention and hyperactivity.

• Supports Cardiovascular and Blood Sugar Health: Magnesium helps lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease by dilating blood vessels and reducing inflammation. It also improves insulin sensitivity, aiding in blood sugar management and reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes 

How to Increase Your Magnesium Intake

Our soils today are not what they used to be. Much of the soil used for agriculture now lacks magnesium, so food does not contain the nutrients it once did. Additionally, we are bombarded with toxins and ultra-processed foods, which means our vitamin and mineral levels are not ideal. If you want to naturally increase your magnesium levels, you should consume foods like leafy greens, nuts, seeds, beans, and dark chocolate. However, nowadays, food alone is often not enough; it is frequently necessary to take supplements such as magnesium citrate or glycinate to ensure you have the correct levels. Remember that not all supplements are created equal—quality is very important.

To ensure you have the necessary levels of magnesium, you should visit a functional doctor who can perform a blood test and provide you with the correct dosage of magnesium supplements based on your blood levels and symptoms.