Are you someone who is looking to improve your health and well-being? Perhaps you've been feeling low in energy, experiencing muscle cramps or struggling with sleepless nights. Well, it's time to consider the benefits of magnesium supplements. 

Magnesium is a vital mineral that is essential for our overall health and well-being. In this blog post, we'll explore why magnesium is so important, why many people don't get enough of it in their diets, and how magnesium supplements can help.

The Magic of Magnesium

Magnesium is one of the most important and abundant minerals our body needs. It is used for over 300 metabolic functions in our body, including protein production, muscle and nerve function, bone development, and elevating blood sugar levels (Volpe, 2015). 

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, one in three people did not meet their magnesium requirements in 2011-12. This is worrying considering that magnesium plays a crucial role in our body's health. 

Magnesium is a metal located in the earth's crust and is found in the soil. Despite its importance, many people do not meet their daily requirements for magnesium (National Institutes of Health, 2021).

The Magnesium Deficiency Problem

While we can find magnesium in many different foods, such as dark green vegetables, legumes, peas, beans, and nuts, the amount of these foods that we would need to consume to meet our daily requirements can be difficult

Although it’s not impossible to consume our daily intake of Magnesium, with the given climate and state of our soil, it can be more difficult without being extremely meticulous in our diet.

A recent study has shown that magnesium levels in the soil are decreasing, primarily due to low exchangeable magnesium in the upper soil layer, which can result in decreased levels of magnesium in our food (Singh et al., 2021).

This means that the magnesium content we may have found in our food 10-15 years ago may be completely different to today, making supplementing extremely beneficial in this day-and-age.

How Magnesium Supplements Can Help

Thankfully, magnesium supplements are available in various forms, such as magnesium oxide, citrate, and chloride. Taking magnesium supplements can help you meet your daily magnesium requirements, which in turn can lead to improved energy levels, reduced muscle cramps, and better sleep quality (Gums & Yehle, 2017).

Supplements are particularly useful for individuals who have a limited intake of magnesium in their diet or are struggling to absorb it from their food.

It’s also very useful for athletes and/or fitness enthusiasts as it can be hard to get the required level of nutrients for their activity level.

Some common forms of Magnesium found in supplements that may be beneficial include:

Magnesium Citrate: This supplement is a form of magnesium combined with citric acid, which helps increase its absorption in the body. It is commonly used to support relaxation, muscle function, and overall health.

Magnesium Glycinate: This supplement is a form of magnesium that is bound with glycine, an amino acid that helps increase absorption. It is popular for its calming and relaxing effects and is often used to support healthy sleep.

Magnesium Oxide: This supplement is a form of magnesium that is combined with oxygen. It has a higher concentration of magnesium and is commonly used to support overall health and well-being. However, it may not be as well-absorbed as other forms of magnesium supplements, although most of these supplements tend to be cheaper.

Summary

Magnesium is an essential micronutrient that plays a critical role in our overall health and well-being. Despite its importance, many people do not meet their daily magnesium requirements, which can result in various health problems.

By taking magnesium supplements, we can ensure that we meet our daily requirements, leading to improved health and well-being. 

If you’re interested in adding Magnesium supplementation to your regime, Explore our extensive range of magnesium formulas online. If you’re uncertain on the best one for you, please reach out to our customer service team!

References

• Gums, J. G., & Yehle, K. S. (2004). Magnesium in cardiovascular and other disorders. American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy, 74(19), 1475-1483.
• National Institutes of Health. (2021). Magnesium. Retrieved from https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Magnesium-HealthProfessional/
• Singh, M., Walia, S., Kaur, N., & Sharma, N. (2021). Magnesium in soil, plants, and human health: A review. Critical Reviews in Environmental Science and Technology, 51(17), 1609-1636.
• Volpe, S. L. (2015). Magnesium in disease prevention and overall health. Advances in Nutrition, 6(5), 588-596.

Authors: 
Stephen Brumwell, Nutritionist (ANTA #40048)

Reviewed:
Teigen Faux, Exercise Physiologist (Honours) for Scientific Accuracy