Amazing Magnesium Benefits

Magnesium is an important mineral, playing a role in over 300 enzyme reactions in the human body. It is very important for muscle function and helps keep blood pressure normal, bones strong, and the heart rhythm steady.

 

Symptoms of magnesium deficiency

 

Magnesium deficiency (hypomagnesemia) is an often overlooked health problem. The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) found that the majority of people in the United States are not getting enough magnesium in their diet. Signs of magnesium deficiency may include:

 

  • Fatigue
  • Muscle twitches and cramps 
  • Restless legs syndrome 
  • Heart arrhythmia, or irregular heartbeat
  • Constipation
  • High blood pressure
  • Insomnia
  • Migraines
  • Depression

 

Conditions that can lead to hypomagnesemia

 

Low dietary intake of magnesium, excessive loss of magnesium, or the presence of other chronic conditions can lead to hypomagnesemia. Conditions that increase the risk of magnesium deficiency include:

  • Crohn's disease
  • Kidney disease
  • Chronic diarrhea 
  • Type 2 diabetes
  • Using diuretics 
  • Alcohol dependence

 

How much magnesium do you need?

 

The following table shows the recommended daily allowance (RDA) for magnesium intake by age and sex, according to the ODS. 

   Age

   Male

   Female

1–3 years

80 mg

80 mg

4–8 years

130 mg

130 mg

9–13 years

240 mg

240 mg

14–18 years

410 mg

360 mg

19–30 years

400 mg

310 mg

31–50 years

420 mg

320 mg

51+ years

420 mg

320 mg

 

Magnesium Benefits

 

1. Magnesium May Address Sleep Disorders in Several Ways

 

Some people suffer from insomnia because they can’t seem to turn their brain off at night. Magnesium helps to slow down your thinking by regulating a neurotransmitter called GABA. GABA (short for Gamma-Aminobutyric acid) is an important amino acid that plays a key role in your overall sleep health. 

 

Magnesium calms and relaxes your muscles and the entire nervous system. German scientists tested the link between magnesium and stress when it comes to sleep. Their results found that increasing the daily magnesium intake helped participants regulate both the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. That is critical for healthy sleep.

 

 2. Magnesium improves heart health

 

Like all muscles in your body, your heart muscle relies on interactions with calcium and magnesium in order to contract and relax. Calcium stimulates the muscle fibers to shorten and contract, while magnesium has the opposite effect. Magnesium blocks calcium, allowing the muscle fibers to relax. When your magnesium levels are low, you leave room for calcium to overstimulate the heart, often resulting in an irregular heartbeat.

 

People who receive magnesium soon after a heart attack have a lower risk of mortality. Doctors sometimes use magnesium during treatment for congestive heart failure (CHF) to reduce the risk of arrhythmia, or abnormal heart rhythm.

 

3. Magnesium and anxiety relief

 

A 2010 review of natural treatments for anxiety found that magnesium could be a treatment for anxiety. More recently, a 2017 review that looked at 18 different studies found that magnesium did reduce anxiety.

One of the reasons why magnesium might help reduce anxiety is that it may improve brain function. Research shows that magnesium plays an important role in regulating neurotransmitters, which send messages throughout the brain and body. Magnesium blocks the activity of more stimulating neurotransmitters and binds to calming receptors, resulting in a more peaceful, resting state.

If you have an anxiety disorder, you might want to consider using magnesium to help reduce your symptoms.

Many foods naturally contain magnesium. Foods with magnesium include dark leafy greens, nuts and seeds, beans, chocolate, so you can include more magnesium in the everyday diet. However, it’s also possible to take a magnesium supplement.

Dr. Moritz created Magnesium Gummies specifically for Kids. Their effective sugar free formula will help your children to feel calm and relaxed and fall asleep easily. And these gummies are also very delicious and natural.