How Magnesium Can Help You
Magnesium is an abundant mineral found in our bodies. Yet many people may be deficient, even if they consume a healthy diet. Magnesium plays an essential role in brain and body functions, and a deficiency may cause health problems. But what is magnesium good for exactly? In this article, we’ll explore what magnesium is and the numerous health benefits.
Supports important chemical reactions
As a helper molecule, magnesium's primary purpose is to support biochemical reactions created by enzymes. Enzymes act as catalysts for specific biochemical reactions. Magnesium and enzymes together create over 600 results in your body, such as:
- nervous system regulation
- energy creation
- protein generation
- muscle movements
- gene maintenance
Improves sleep quality
Magnesium can be taken throughout the day, but it does produce a relaxed state. It's common for men and women to take magnesium to reduce anxiety and relax muscles. If you apply a high-quality magnesium cream to your skin an hour before bedtime, the mineral encourages sleep. (1) The length and sleep quality may improve, as well.
In fact, not having enough magnesium in your bones and brain may cause trouble sleeping. Research shows that magnesium deficiency is some people with certain conditions is more common, including: (2)
- diabetes
- alcohol dependency
- older age
- digestive problems
Helps decrease depression and anxiety
Anxiety and depression often go together. Since magnesium helps regulate the nervous system, rubbing the mineral into your skin provides relaxation and mood balance. One study found that the lack of magnesium in our food may increase the risk of developing depression.
Also, by adding magnesium-rich foods and supplements back into our diet may reduce depression and anxiety. (3) If you suspect you suffer from a mental health concern, speak to your health care professional about magnesium.
Boosts exercise performance
Regular exercise is one of the smartest health choices you can make, along with healthy diet selections. Magnesium supplementation can also improve exercise performance.
When you exercise, your body may need 10-20% more magnesium than when resting. Some studies show that athletes and older people had boosted performance when supplementing with magnesium. (4)
Other benefits of magnesium
Besides the sleep and mental benefits, magnesium also plays a vital role in improving individual health conditions, including:
- chronic inflammation
- type 2 diabetes
- high blood pressure
- Insulin resistance
- Migraines
Should you take a magnesium supplement?
According to Science Daily, 50% of people are magnesium deficient. (5) A lack of magnesium can also lead to a vitamin D deficiency. The reason for this is that vitamin D needs magnesium for metabolization. Other reasons for taking magnesium may be to improve sleep quality, lower anxiety, or improve exercise performance.
If you suspect you're magnesium deficient, try a magnesium cream to boost levels. You may discover that it's precisely what you need.
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23969766/
- https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Magnesium-HealthProfessional/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16542786/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22760901/
- https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/02/180226122548.htm