The fourth most abundant mineral in the body is Magnesium. It certainly has significant roles when it comes to supporting general health and wellness. In fact, every cell in our body contains it and we need it for normal function of our organism.
Even though people are not talking or reading a lot about this mineral, it is one of the most overlooked minerals. In fact, 80 % of Americans are deficient in it. Magnesium deficiency can actually lead to many different health problems.
The deficiency of this element can happen easier than you think, due to a number of factors, like:
- Regularly drinking carbonated beverages
- Consuming a lot of refined sugar
- Stress
- Drinking caffeinated beverages on most days
- Drinking seven or more alcoholic beverages a week
By ensuring that your organism gets the necessary quantity of this mineral, you’ll have a lot of benefits for your body and mind.
7 Reasons You Should Get More Magnesium
1. Improves sleep
Less magnesium in our body increases the risk of insomnia. Once you have balanced level of this mineral, you’ll enjoy a better night’s sleep and improved overall health. That’s because melatonin-the sleep-regulating hormone is disturbed when there isn’t enough magnesium. This nutrient also helps to control stress hormones and bring balance to our body. Stress and tension are actually two main reasons people suffer from insomnia in the first place, it gets to the root of the problem.
In one scientific study, researchers gave split participants into two separate groups:
- one was given magnesium supplements over an eight-week period, while
- the other took a placebo.
Those that received the supplements enjoyed a significant increase in sleep time and also had an easier time falling asleep. They also had lower levels of cortisol, a hormone associated with stress, and higher levels of melatonin.
2. Better digestion
It is an element that can relax our muscles in the digestive tract. It also helps to balance and neutralize stomach acid and move stools through the intestines, if you don’t get enough in your diet, you may be suffering from constipation. Taking supplements or adding magnesium to our diet is an excellent way to cleanse the bowels of toxins and have improved digestion.
3. Preventing migraines
If you have problems with migraines, we don’t have to specifically tell you how painful they are. The good news is that by getting more magnesium, you may be able to prevent them. That’s because it’s involved in neurotransmitter function and blood circulation. It helps to manage migraine pain through the release of hormones known to lessen that pain and reduce vasoconstriction too, which is the constriction of blood vessels that raise blood pressure.
Research has shown that people with migraines also tend to have low levels of magnesium. Some studies have found that a dose of 200-600 milligrams a day can reduce how often migraines occur.
4. Lower the risk of osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a devastating bone disease that is estimated to affect over 200 million women around the world. Magnesium is necessary component for proper formation of bones. It has influence on activities of osteoclasts and osteoblasts that build healthy bone density. All that ensures that your body gets the amount it needs can reduce your risk of developing osteoporosis.
A higher magnesium intake has been linked to an increased bone mineral density in women, as well as men, who can also be affected by osteoporosis. A number of studies have found that preventing or even reversing osteoporosis may be possible by increasing magnesium consumption and preventing magnesium deficiency.
5. Supporting heart health
It is crucial for heart health – in fact, the heart contains the highest amount of magnesium of any other organ in the body. It works with calcium to help regulate proper blood pressure levels as well as to prevent high blood pressure. When the body doesn’t have a proper magnesium balance, it increases the chances of having a heart attack too, due to severe muscle spasms.
This mineral also functions as an electrolyte, which is essential for all electrical activity in the body. Without electrolytes like magnesium, potassium, and sodium, electrical signals cannot be sent or received, and without those signals, the heart cannot pump blood, and the brain cannot function properly.
6. Greater flexibility and the relief of muscle pain and spasms
Magnesium also plays a key role in muscle contractions and neuro muscular signals. As mentioned, if you don’t get enough magnesium, the muscles can start to spasm. It helps the muscles to contract and relax, as well as enabling you to get around. Additionally, because magnesium loosens tight muscles, it’s important for flexibility too. The reduced amount of magnesium is leading to a buildup of lactic acid, that causes pain and tightness.
7. Restoring the body’s pH balance
As magnesium alkalizes the body, it helps to restore its pH balance. When your body has a proper pH balance of 7.4, it can actually help stay alkaline and disease-free. It improves all aspects of health. Just some of the benefits of an alkalized body include a stronger immune system, more beautiful skin, greater energy levels, better digestion, and even fewer signs of aging as it helps to slow the aging process.
This magnesium drink also helps to support weight loss as excessive acidity in the body’s tissues can cause severe problems. When our body has too much acid, it can’t be easily processed and excreted. Therefore, the body holds onto fat as an adaptive mechanism, resulting in weight gain. Reducing acidity, therefore, helps prevent the storage of fat to aid weight loss efforts.
One of the best ways to ensure your body gets this mineral is to include this magnesium drink that you can easily make right at home in your daily diet.
How to Make an Anti-Anxiety, Anti-Stress Magnesium Drink
Ingredients:
- 1 tbsp. Natural Calm Magnesium
- 1 glass of water
- a squeeze of organic lemon juice
- 1-2 packs of stevia in the raw
- 2 ice cubes
Instructions:
- Drop the tablespoon of magnesium into the glass of water.
- Stir really well until magnesium is dissolved.
- Add lemon juice to the magnesium drink.
- Then add the stevia and stir.
- Add ice cubes and enjoy in this homemade magnesium drink.
Via: HealthLine
I take magnesium supplements every day, but I’d rather get it from food. Thanks for this.