Health Benefits of Magnesium Intake
Are you getting enough magnesium into your diet? If you are like nearly everyone else, you probably could use more than you currently afford yourself. Research shows that 80% of adults are not getting enough magnesium from their diets. This means that many Australians could benefit from magnesium supplements. Let’s look at what magnesium is, and some of the major health benefits of magnesium.
What is magnesium?
Magnesium is a naturally occurring mineral. It is very common and found throughout the world in everything from the soil itself to animals, plants, and humans. As Healthline explains, “every cell in your body contains it and needs it to function.” So, as you can tell, it’s a problem that so many of us aren’t getting enough magnesium! The National Institutes of Health lists foods that are high in Magnesium, including “leafy green vegetables — such as spinach — legumes, nuts, seeds, and whole grains.”
Magnesium can reduce anxiety
There is much research to show that magnesium may help fight anxiety. In 2017, a study at the University of Leeds undertook a review of 18 investigations on the effects of magnesium on anxiety and found that collectively, the studies demonstrated that there are significant anxiety benefits from magnesium. Furthermore, Healthline says that “supplementing with magnesium may help reduce symptoms of depression — and in some cases, the results can be dramatic.” This is particularly true of magnesium glycinate.
Magnesium can reduce inflammation
There is no disputing the status of magnesium as an anti-inflammatory. Citing a number of high-profile studies, Healthline concludes that there is strong evidence that magnesium supplements can help reduce inflammation, and the marker of inflammation, in adults and children. It’s a supplement that can tackle a wide range of issues, and inflammation throughout the body is one of those.
Magnesium can increase energy
As we’ve discussed before in our blog post, Magnesium: What’s The Best Type For Your Symptoms?, magnesium and magnesium malate (a combination of magnesium and malic acid) is “a naturally occurring substance that aids in energy production during both aerobic and anaerobic activities.” Now, who doesn’t want more energy to get stuff done?
You need magnesium for the production of the ATP molecule, which ensures the body has energy for basic functions, like making enzymes and distributing nutrients around the body. Magnesium is also so valuable, it converts the glucose in food into energy. So, having enough magnesium will reduce tiredness and maintain energy levels!
Magnesium can help regulate blood sugar
There have been a number of studies that demonstrate magnesium can massively help in regulating blood sugar. One such study on PubMed, found that magnesium helped both insulin sensitivity and metabolic glucose control. Those who consistently work magnesium into their diet have a higher probability of maintaining a healthy blood glucose balance. Conversely, magnesium-deficient people have a greater chance of developing problems with their blood glucose. Magnesium supplements will help lower blood glucose when they are overly high, with the inverse reaction happening if there is a lack of the supplement in your diet.
Magnesium can soothe menstrual cramps and other premenstrual symptoms
Magnesium can go a long way to relieving premenstrual symptoms, including cramps, bloating, and more. Magnesium malate is often recommended for women suffering from fibromyalgia, PMS and migraines, due to its magical ability in relaxing muscles. So, for those ladies reading, when the period pains hit you know what to do! Pain from menstrual cramps occurs from contracting uterus muscles. Magnesium supplements will put these hard working muscles at ease for you, making things much more bearable!
Finding the best magnesium supplements
Magnesium is a magical supplement that has a range of health benefits. It’s important to remember, the best magnesium supplements are those that include the type of magnesium compound designed to treat what ails you. There are over a dozen popular compounds, so it’s crucial to understand what you’re buying so the supplement can be most effective for you.