Top 7 Benefits of Magnesium

Magnesium is macromineral that is intimately involved in over 600 activities in the body; including the metabolism of food, the transmission of nerve impulses, the synthesis of fatty acids and proteins, muscle movements, gene maintenance and protein formation.

It is one of seven essential electrolytic minerals that must be consumed daily — 100 milligrams or more. Our bodies store about 25 grams of magnesium with more than 50 percent of this being stored in our bones, while the rest is found in the muscles, soft tissues and bodily fluids.

Studies show that about 50 percent of the people in the United States and Europe get far less than the recommended daily amount of magnesium. Some of this is attributable to magnesium levels in soil are lower than they used to be, reducing the amount that plants uptake. Plus, the use of chemicals such as fluoride and chlorine in water make magnesium less available. In addition, daily intake of refined sugar and acidic caffeine also deplete magnesium supplies within the body. Finally, if you live a high-stress life, it is likely that you are magnesium deficient.

A magnesium deficiency can lead to a range of chronic health issues, such as: calcium deficiency, poor heart health, weakness, anxiety and high blood pressure. You can also add type 2 diabetes, respiratory issues, fatigue, poor memory and confusion to this health issues list.

Here is a simple list of some of the amazing benefits of this macromineral and why it is so important to be sure you are getting enough of it.

Magnesium helps manage insulin levels in the body and can prevent blood sugar spikes and crashes from occurring. It also plays a large role in regulating blood pressure: preventing high blood pressure from occurring, especially when combined with enough potassium in the diet. This does two things: controls stress that can elevate insulin levels and improves overall blood pressure that can get out of control and increase insulin resistance, which can cause type 2 diabetes to occur more easily.

Magnesium is essential for proper brain function and mood regulation. Research indicates that without enough magnesium, you are more prone to depression. According to the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, major depressive disorder impacts 14.8 million American adults.

In one study of over 8,00 people, researchers found that those 65 years old and under with the lowest intake of magnesium had a 22 percent increased risk of developing depression.

In a randomized controlled trial including older adults suffering from depression, a 450-milligram magnesium supplement improved mood just as effectively as an antidepressant drug.

No one likes being anxious. If you find you are frequently in this state, you may want to try increasing your magnesium. Low magnesium levels have been attributed to an increase in anxiety. According to research, a diet low in magnesium changes the types of bacteria present in the gut and alters anxiety-based behavior.

Studies indicate that even having a slightly reduced level of magnesium can cause severe changes in how the heart, blood vessels, blood cells and other tissues function. Magnesium is critical for proper electrical and mechanical functioning within tissues such as nerves and muscles (such as the heart), and blood vessels.

Research has shown that low brain magnesium is evident during a migraine attack. One study found that a regular intake of magnesium reduced the frequency of migraine attacks by just over 41 percent. Another study found that taking a magnesium supplement daily can help prevent menstrual-related migraines.

According to Dr. Carolyn Dean, a magnesium expert and Medical Advisory Board member of the Nutritional Magnesium Association, magnesium could be the answer to a host of premenstrual symptoms. These include such things as mood swings, fluid retention, depression, breast tenderness, headaches, poor sleep and sugar cravings.

Research has shown that mice given extra magnesium had better working memory, long-term memory and a greater ability to learn. According to head researcher Dr. Liu, “Magnesium is essential for the proper functioning of many tissues in the body, including the brain and, in an earlier study, we demonstrated that magnesium promoted synaptic plasticity in cultured brain cells.”

Here are a few signs that you may be magnesium deficient:

Magnesium-rich foods are found abundantly in nature. Try these delicious options:

Spinach is rich in many key nutrients for your health, including magnesium, protein, vitamin E and B vitamins. Raw spinach only has about 78 milligrams of magnesium per cup, but one cup of lightly steamed (cooked only until the leaves become dark) spinach contains over 760 milligrams! That’s twice the amount from kale and collards, with only Swiss chard beating spinach as the top source from leafy greens.

Try sunflower, sesame, poppy, hemp and flax seeds – theu are all great sources of magnesium. Seeds are also rich in anti-inflammatory fats and high in protein. Try sprinkling a couple tablespoons of seeds onto salads, add them to a green smoothie, or toss a few in with some dark berries and organic Greek yogurt for a high protein, magnesium-rich breakfast or snack.

Raw nibs and cacao powder are incredibly high sources of magnesium, along with dark chocolate and even cocoa powder. While you can’t rely solely on chocolate alone for your magnesium intake, having a small square of organic dark or raw chocolate (or a couple tablespoons of cocoa) is certainly an enjoyable way to add more magnesium to your day!

Almonds are high in protein, vitamin E and the highest source of magnesium among all nuts, with cashews being a close second. Almonds contain roughly 76 milligrams per ounce (about 23 nuts), or 15 percent of your daily needs. For the best anti-inflammatory option, choose raw almonds (unroasted) or raw almond butter.

Bananas are gassed to retard ripening, so make sure that you put them in direct sunlight for 5 hours to de-gas them, which makes the magnesium bioavailable. They are often avoided for their high sugar content, but this fruit is actually the best source of magnesium among all common fruits. Bananas are also a great source of vitamin C, potassium, fiber, vitamin B6 and manganese. A medium-sized banana contains 32 milligrams of magnesium.

Your morning cup of java just got a bit more exciting —Papua New Guinea coffee is not only the world’s ONLY alkalizing coffee; it’s also the highest source of liquid magnesium you can consume! It’s higher than any food source — just in case you were wondering. It comes in around 1000 milligrams or more in just one eight-ounce cup. Please keep in mind that calcium from cow’s milk and refined sugar can interfere with magnesium absorption, so drink your coffee black or with organic heavy whipping cream or coconut oil. Also use a raw, organic, whole-food sweetener like honey or evaporated cane juice instead of refined sugar.