Smileband health topics

When thinking of minerals your body needs, magnesium probably isn’t the first to come to mind. Did you know it plays a part in energy production and your metabolism? In fact, magnesium is essential for overall health – I love it!

There are stacks of ways magnesium helps our body to perform. Check out these reasons why magnesium intake is important!

It helps keep us calm 

When we’re stressed, our body produces more adrenaline in an effort to boost energy and help us cope. That can cause our nervous system and heart rate to go into overdrive. Magnesium can help calm the nervous system.

Magnesium can also relax our muscles and plays an important role in the production of serotonin, a feel-good chemical that also helps regulate our appetite and sleep cycle.

It helps with cramping 

As I said earlier, magnesium helps our muscles and cells to relax! Sometimes low magnesium levels can cause our muscles to spasm, which can result in cramps. The relaxing properties of magnesium may also help reduce lactic acid, which can reduce Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness, known as DOMS or post-workout muscle soreness.

Epsom salts, or magnesium sulfate, can be a great way to soothe sore or cramping muscles. Adding it to a bath gives your body a chance to absorb it and can help you relax before bed too.

It can reduce premenstrual symptoms 

I’m sure we’ve ALL experienced it at some point or another, but one of the most common symptoms at ‘that time of the month’ is cramping. Like the rest of your muscles, the relaxing properties of magnesium can help reduce these!

It helps develop healthy bones & tissue

While we’re all aware of the importance of calcium, magnesium is another important mineral that helps to keep our bones strong and helps to prevent osteoporosis later in life. Our cells require magnesium for development and growth as well.

Now that you realise how much your body relies on magnesium, you’ll see why it’s so important! Green leafy vegetables, beans, nuts and whole grains are some of the best food sources of magnesium. Magnesium supplements are also an option, but as always, I recommend speaking with your doctor before taking them.