Stressed, exhausted, and worried? Can’t Sleep? Tired and tense muscles? For those battling these on a daily basis, read on to find out how magnesium, an essential mineral that plays a central role in hundreds of biochemical reactions in the body, could be the game-changer you’ve been seeking…

Magnesium is the fourth most abundant mineral in our body. It is vital to support healthy adrenal activity, enzymatic processes, the nervous system and brain, the cardiovascular system, muscles, metabolism and energy, and bone health. The modern diet is magnesium-poor, and NZ soils can lack this essential mineral, which can impact the levels in our food. Stress and physical activity can increase our magnesium needs. A low magnesium level in the body has been linked to many negative health outcomes, and so supplementation can be very supportive.

The Effects of Stress 

Our multitasking and fast-paced lives can sometimes overwhelm us. Stress and worry levels rise, and sleep quality diminishes, leading to frayed nerves and physical and mental exhaustion. Eventually even small problems can seem insurmountable, and coping with daily life becomes increasingly difficult. The nervous system needs nourishment to support stress management, sleep, and recovery. Magnesium supports the healthy function of calming neurotransmitters and supports nervous system balance and brain health, focus, and mental clarity.

During stress, magnesium is rapidly depleted. This impairs our ability to adapt, to maintain energy levels, and to support a healthy nervous system. Depleted magnesium means your stress response can be triggered faster, contributing to irritability and overreacting. Magnesium supplementation has been used, successfully, for its supportive and tonic effects on the nervous system and ability to support stress tolerance and healthy sleep patterns. 

Diet and Exercise Impacts

Magnesium is also essential for muscle health and function. The interplay between calcium and magnesium in muscles supports contraction and relaxation. In your cardiac (heart) muscle, it supports a healthy and regular heartbeat. Healthy blood pressure and the muscles that contract and relax blood vessels are also dependent on support from magnesium. Exercise, while incredibly health-promoting, can, depending on the intensity, deplete magnesium stores. When your magnesium levels are low, calcium may overstimulate muscle cells, and you may feel muscle tension and stiffness.

The more nutrient poor a diet, the more you will chew through magnesium. This is especially true of diets that are high in sugar, ultra-processed foods, and empty calories, as these require more magnesium to be metabolised. Grain, bean, and seed products are no longer produced in traditional ways, decreasing magnesium availability. The recommended daily intake of magnesium is 400–420 mg for men and 310–320 mg for women, and this can be challenging to get from the modern diet. 

If you are worried about the amount of magnesium in your diet or require more due to stress, physical exertion, or a hectic lifestyle, Good Health has a range of supportive magnesium supplements from which to choose.

Good Health, New Zealand,

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