The master mineral.
Magnesium is an element and mineral found throughout nature, and one of the body’s electrolytes. About 99 percent of your body’s total magnesium is stored in your bones, muscles and soft tissues, while only about 1 percent is concentrated in the blood.
Did you know that most people are chronically deficient in magnesium? According to the World Health Organization, at least 75% of the adult population in the U.S. does not meet the FDA's recommended daily intake. You've probably heard about how important magnesium is for our health and wellbeing - so why are most people deficient?
Unfortunately, magnesium has been depleted from our topsoil because of pesticides being sprayed on our crops, which diminishes the nutrients in our food supply. Add in a sugar-addicted society, gut-destroying pharmaceuticals, and high amounts of stress - that's a recipe for chronic magnesium deficiency. Magnesium deficiency has been linked to a number of health conditions - such as heart disease, migraines, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer’s and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
But good news! There are amazing supplements that replenish our magnesium levels, so we can live optimally. Listed below are the amazing benefits of magnesium and why you should start supplementing with it - along with our recommended choice for a magnesium supplement.
Benefit #1 - Involved in Over 600 Reactions in the Body
Did you know that every cell in your body contains magnesium - and needs it to function? It is a helper molecule that assists with regulating the nervous system, converting food into energy, supporting the immune system, even creating and repairing DNA! To say that magnesium is a building block is an understatement. No wonder they call it the master mineral!
Benefit #2 - Promotes Heart Health
Studies show that higher levels of magnesium reduce the risk of certain cardiovascular diseases - like hypertension and stroke. Magnesium increases nitric oxide levels in the blood, which helps to relax blood vessels, maintain a stable heartbeat, and lower blood pressure. It is known to improve triglyceride, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and systolic blood pressure levels. If you are keen on lowering your risk of heart disease, magnesium is key!
Benefit #3 - Eases Migraines & Headaches
Did you know that magnesium infusions are used in the emergency room to treat patients with serious migraines? Researchers believe people with migraines are more likely to have a magnesium deficiency. In fact, daily magnesium intake reduces migraine frequency by 42 percent!
One study measured the effects of magnesium supplementation in 86 children with frequent migraines. Children received either a magnesium oxide supplement or a placebo for 16 weeks. At the end of the study, those who took the supplement had significantly less headache frequency and lower headache severity compared to the placebo group.
Magnesium is easily one of the best tools for combatting headaches and migraines because it helps widen blood vessels in the brain.
Benefit #4 - Improves Sleep
If you have trouble getting to sleep and staying asleep, you may want to consider a magnesium supplement. Magnesium helps regulate the hormone melatonin, which guides your body's wake-sleep cycle. It also helps the brain and body relax by activating the parasympathetic nervous system, so you can properly "rest and digest". Not only does magnesium help you get to sleep, but it also plays a part in getting deep and restful sleep.
In one study, participants who took a magnesium supplement experienced reduced insomnia severity, increased sleep time, and decreased amount of time needed to fall asleep. Another study found that a supplement containing a mix of magnesium, melatonin and zinc improved sleep quality in residents at a long-term care facility.
Benefit #5 - Improves Mood
Magnesium has potent mood-boosting properties and can help fight against depression and anxiety! It plays a critical role in brain function and mood, with low magnesium levels being linked to an increased risk of depression. Some research has even found that it could be as effective as antidepressants in treating depression. One study published in Magnesium Research compared the effects of magnesium supplementation with an antidepressant medication and found that magnesium supplements were equally effective in the treatment of depression.
Another study in 2017 found that magnesium supplementation significantly improved symptoms of both depression and anxiety after just six weeks.
Magnesium Supplementation
There are several different types of magnesium supplements available, including magnesium glycinate, magnesium citrate, magnesium chloride, magnesium oxide, magnesium lactate, magnesium L-threonate, magnesium malate, magnesium sulfate and magnesium orotate. These can benefit many people, but are especially helpful for those who have a known severe deficiency. We recommend Bioptimizers Magnesium Breakthrough supplement - which contains 7 different forms of magnesium.
Whether you want improved heart health, migraine relief, better sleep, improved mood - or all of the above - magnesium may be the mineral that you're missing for your body to function optimally. Those 600 reactions in the body may be beneficial, after all. :)