The Health Benefits of Magnesium
What is Magnesium?
Magnesium is a mineral that is responsible for hundreds of biochemical reactions in your body. It is the fourth most abundant mineral, and you would be surprised how many people are deficient in it.
From The Ground Up…
Magnesium is a mineral that resides predominantly in soil. Through modern day farming practices (ie. pesticides, herbicides etc) the soil has become less nutrient dense, and therefore less and less amounts of magnesium (and other nutrients) are found in our food, and our bodies ultimately pay the price.
In our bodies, Magnesium is found mostly in bone (60%) as well as fluids, soft tissue and muscle. One of its main roles is to act as a cofactor, or molecular aid in over 600 reactions.
Some of these reactions include:
Muscle contraction
Nerve function
Energy production and utilization
Rest and relaxation .
Protein formation
Regulation of Neurotransmitters (brain signalling)
Body signalling
Creation and repair of DNA and RNA
Feeling Sluggish?
Magnesium can play a massive role in your performance in the gym and in other physical activities.
The body requires 10-20% more magnesium when exercising, as opposed to resting.
Magnesium also helps move blood sugar into the muscle, and help rid the body of lactic acid.
When the dreaded PMS comes….
When PMS hits, reach for a bottle of….Magnesium? Yes!
Magnesium has been shown to help with water retention during PMS, bloating, and overall cramps and discomfort.
As a woman who takes Magnesium regularly, I can attest to this. It will also help curb the crazy chocolate cravings.
Magnesium can also help with restless leg syndrome, as it is the rest and relaxation mineral, and also aid in sleep. No , it is not a sleep aid, but because of it’s relaxation properties, and especially if you are deficient in this vital mineral, it can give you a sense of calm, and help get you ready for your bed a lot soon than you might be used to.
These are just a few of the amazing health benefits of Magnesium, but just these alone would be enough to convince me….we NEED Magnesium.
Supplementing with Magnesium is your best bet, especially seeing as most of the population is deficient.
A therapeutic dose of Magnesium ranges anywhere from 450 mg - 1000. I would start with 450, see how you feel, and then up the dosage if necessary.
DO NOT exceed 1000 mg. Magnesium can make you poop, simply said, and if you take too much, poop is what you will do….unexpectedly, with minimal warning. So be careful.
You can also increase your magnesium consumption through food. Foods with higher levels of Magnesium include:
Pumpkin seeds, Spinach, Swiss chard, Dark chocolate (70–85% cocoa),Black beans, Quinoa, Halibut, Almonds, Cashews, Mackerel, Avocado, and Salmon.
The Magnesium strains with the best absorption are: Citrate, Threonate, Aspartate and Taurate.
I hope you found this article helpful! Now go grab some Magnesium!
-Amanda xo
