For most of us, our understanding of Magnesium is limited to leg cramps and chocolate cravings. That is despite the very real and almost alarming reasons why the mineral is so important for our health. Magnesium deficiency or hypomagnesemia, as it is scientifically known, can cause a whole host of negative symptoms including muscle aches and spasms, poor digestion, anxiety and trouble sleeping. Often overlooked however, a magnesium deficiency may just be what’s behind some of your most frustrating health issues…
With magnesium readily available in the form of vegetables, some fruits and other whole foods, as well as magnesium supplements, there really is no reason to put up with these niggly symptoms anymore. But just in case you’re still not convinced we thought we’d share 10 Magnificent Benefits Of Magnesium You Didn’t Know About…
1. Magnesium Increases Energy
Magnesium is primarily used to create energy in the body by activating something called ATP (Adenosine Tri-Phosphate), meaning that without a steady supply of magnesium we will fatigue more quickly and require more oxygen than we otherwise would during exercise.
2. Calms Nerves & Anxiety
Magnesium is vital for the production of serotonin in the body, the ‘happy hormone’ that enables us to smile, crack a joke, laugh and mean it. Without magnesium these pathways and other hormones that calm the brain and promote relaxation are also in trouble, unfortunately resulting in the production of additional stress hormones by the brain.
3. Helps You Fall Asleep
As many of us well know our circadian rhythms have been disrupted by busy work schedules and excess screen time, but what we may not know is that our age has also had an impact on our precious shut-eye. As we age our body is able to readily absorb less and less nutrients from our food, including the magnesium that calms the brain and helps you to sleep – putting many of the elderly at risk of insomnia. Thankfully, numerous studies have found that magnesium supplementation is a low-risk and effective solution for reducing insomnia symptoms; improving sleep efficiency, sleep time, and onset.
4. Aids Digestion & Relieves Constipation
Magnesium is well known to relax tight muscles within the digestive tract, including the intestinal wall that controls the use of our bowels. Its ability to neutralise stomach acid and moves stills through the intestines means magnesium supplementation is a great way to kick-start your bowel movements.
5. Relieves Muscles Aches and Spasms
Our bodies are usually pretty good at telling us we’re low in magnesium, using intensely painful muscle spasms to get its message across. These spasms are a direct result of inadequate magnesium levels that can only be fixed by…you guessed it – a top up to ensure that we can relax, contract and move our muscles as we wish.
6. Heart Healthy Magnesium!
Did you know that the highest amount of magnesium within the whole body is in the heart? This is likely due to the fact that magnesium works with calcium to support proper blood pressure levels and prevent hypertension.
7. Prevents Migraines
Several studies show that when sufferers of migraines supplement with magnesium, their symptoms improve. This is because magnesium is involved in neurotransmitter function and blood circulation, meaning it can help control migraine headache pain by releasing much needed pain-reducing hormones.
8. Helps Prevent Osteoporosis
A higher magnesium intake correlates with increased bone mineral density in both men and women, according to several studies. Research also shows that women can help prevent or even reverse osteoporosis by increasing their magnesium consumption and preventing magnesium deficiency. This is likely due to the fact that magnesium is essential to proper bone formation and influences the building of healthy bone density.
9. You can find it in some of your favourite healthy foods!
That may sound a bit odd but bear with us for a second…you can actually increase your daily magnesium intake by including more magnesium-rich foods in your diet. These include spinach, Swiss chard, black beans, almonds, cashews, potatoes, pumpkin seeds, avocados and bananas – you’ll also find high levels of magnesium in cacao. Another reason to add more chocolate into your diet! #yourewelcome
10. It Couldn’t Be Easier
Whether you consume magnesium rich foods daily or whether you feel like you could benefit from a magnesium supplement, it couldn’t be easier to get your hands on a magical magnesium elixir – you can thank us for that later. We sought after the purest and best Magnesium Oil on the market and found The Base Collective Magnesium Oil. With only two ingredients: magnesium chloride and water, the spray on application couldn’t be simpler or more convenient.
We often forget just how intricate the workings of the human body really are and how the simplest solution is often the best. In the case of magnesium and deficiency that couldn’t be more accurate, where we lack the mineral all we need do is replace it with the simple spray of a bottle…and soak it in.