Have you heard a bunch of hubbub about Magnesium? If not, you should have and it’s quite possible that your sphere of influence is doing you a disservice. With that in mind and your health in scope, let me shed some light on some questions you may have or may not know you should have been asking! 🙂 -What are the medicinal values of magnesium? -How can we get it naturally? -How does magnesium do these beneficial things in the body?

The powerhouse Magnesium is an essential mineral that plays a crucial role in many bodily functions, including regulating muscle and nerve function, maintaining healthy bones, and supporting the immune system. As to the first question, here are some of the highly sought after values of magnesium:

1. Helps with muscle relaxation: Magnesium is known to relax muscles and can help alleviate muscle cramps and spasms.
2. Improves sleep: Magnesium has a calming effect on the body, which can help improve sleep quality and reduce insomnia.
3. Reduces anxiety and depression: Magnesium has been found to have a positive effect on mood and may help reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression.
4. Supports heart health: Magnesium helps regulate heart rhythm and can help reduce the risk of heart disease.
5. Helps with digestion: Magnesium helps regulate digestive function and can help alleviate constipation.

As to the second question there are many natural sources of magnesium, including:

1. Leafy green vegetables: Spinach, kale, and other leafy greens are excellent sources of magnesium.
2. Nuts and seeds: Almonds, cashews, pumpkin seeds, and sunflower seeds are all rich in magnesium.
3. Whole grains: Whole wheat, brown rice, and quinoa are good sources of magnesium.
4. Legumes: Beans, lentils, and chickpeas are all high in magnesium.
5. Seafood: Fish like salmon, halibut, and mackerel are good sources of magnesium.

By incorporating these foods into your diet, you can ensure you are getting adequate levels of magnesium. However, if you have a magnesium deficiency or require higher levels for medicinal purposes, you may need to take a magnesium supplement. Of course, it is always best to consult with your healthcare provider before taking any supplements.

Then our third and possibly most enlightening question. HOW does Magnesium do it? Magnesium plays a crucial role in many bodily functions because it is involved in over 300 enzymatic reactions in the body. Here are some ways in which magnesium helps with the medicinal values mentioned earlier:

1. Muscle relaxation: Magnesium helps regulate the levels of calcium in the body, which is important for muscle contraction and relaxation. When magnesium levels are low, calcium levels can become too high, leading to muscle cramps and spasms.
2. Improves sleep: Magnesium helps regulate the production of the sleep hormone, melatonin, and the stress hormone, cortisol. By reducing cortisol levels and increasing melatonin levels, magnesium can promote relaxation and improve sleep quality.
3. Reduces anxiety and depression: Magnesium plays a role in the production of neurotransmitters, such as serotonin, which are important for regulating mood. Magnesium also helps regulate the HPA axis, which is involved in the stress response.
4. Supports heart health: Magnesium helps regulate heart rhythm by controlling the flow of calcium into the heart cells. It also helps relax the blood vessels, which can lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease.
5. Helps with digestion: Magnesium helps regulate muscle contractions in the digestive tract, which is important for moving food through the system. It also draws water into the intestines, which can help alleviate constipation.

Overall, magnesium is a vital mineral that is involved in many physiological processes in the body. By ensuring you have adequate levels of magnesium through diet or supplementation, you can help support many aspects of your health.

Of course, you may be getting enough and none of the above is to say you have a shortage. You owe it to yourself to understand your levels of mag as provided by your diet. You can definitely work with a doctor or naturopath to understand this fully. I think it’s worth it, especially when you look at the mega-awesome list of benefits and functionality that mag is responsible for. Also, you should know that there are different forms of Magnesium.

When choosing a magnesium supplement, it is important to consider the form of magnesium and its intended use. Some forms of magnesium may be better suited for certain conditions than others, and it is always best to consult with a healthcare provider before taking any supplements.

1. Magnesium oxide: This form of magnesium is often used as a laxative and can be found in many over-the-counter digestive aids. It has a high magnesium content but is poorly absorbed by the body.
2. Magnesium citrate: This form of magnesium is also used as a laxative but is better absorbed by the body than magnesium oxide. It is often found in liquid form and can be useful for people with constipation.
3. Magnesium glycinate: This form of magnesium is bound to the amino acid glycine, which can enhance absorption. It is often used for relaxation and sleep support.
4. Magnesium chloride: This form of magnesium is often used for transdermal magnesium therapy, where it is applied topically to the skin. It can also be used as a supplement.
5. Magnesium sulfate: Also known as Epsom salt, magnesium sulfate is often used in baths for relaxation and muscle soreness. It can also be taken orally as a laxative.
6. Magnesium malate: This form of magnesium is bound to malic acid, which can help support energy production and alleviate muscle pain and fatigue.
7. Magnesium taurate: This form of magnesium is bound to the amino acid taurine, which can help support heart health and reduce blood pressure.

When choosing a magnesium supplement, it is important to consider the form of magnesium and its intended use. Some forms of magnesium may be better suited for certain conditions than others, and it is always best to consult with a healthcare provider before taking any supplements. I hope you follow up on this learning opportunity. I apologize for this post being so LONG, but as you can see, there is a lot to know here! Have an excellent day and keep on living your life with love and expansion!