7 reasons why you should keep track of your magnesium intake

Did you know that you need sufficient magnesium levels in your body to stay healthy and full of energy? Read on to learn why magnesium is so important for your body's functioning and some helpful tips to get you on your way to optimum health.

Magnesium is a vital mineral that our bodies utilise to maintain muscle and nerve functions. As it is so significant, we need to keep track of our daily intake and ensure that we don’t suffer from magnesium deficiency. The recommended dietary intake (RDI) for an average adult is between 360 mg and 410 mg per day, optimally spread throughout the day, rather than one dosage (if taken orally).

This recommended dose can be increased up to 1000 mg if you suffer from stress, are of advancing age, have cardiovascular problems or if you experience signs of calcification. Consulate your health practitioner before you increase your magnesium intake.

What are the top benefits of magnesium for our overall health?

We narrowed it down to the TOP 7 REASONS why you need to include magnesium in your daily health care regimen*:

1 Improve your muscle strength and function

If we want our muscles to function smoothly, then we need to fuel them with magnesium. Magnesium supports muscles during contractions, providing them with greater strength. It also helps to prevent physical problems like back pain, neck pain and joint stiffness.

2 Regain an undisturbed and restful sleep

Suffering from magnesium deficiency can become apparent through disrupted sleep and recurring night-time awakenings. Magnesium’s ability to calm irritated nerves and relax muscles is ideal for soothing your whole body and leads to a good night’s sleep. Also, due to its relaxing power, magnesium assists you in tackling several types of discomfort including a curative effect on headaches and migraines as well as fighting off nervous fatigue, tics and twitches, restlessness and tremors.

3 Increase your energy level and concentration

Sufficient magnesium intake can reduce fatigue and feelings of irritability, helping you to maintain concentration over a longer period of time. Because magnesium plays an important role during digestion, it is a crucial part of supplying your body with the energy you need to stay focused and balanced throughout the day. So if you notice that you're feeling tired and lack energy in your everyday life, it may indicate you're not getting adequate magnesium, so check your intake and adjust if necessary. 

4 Reduce stress, anxiety and depression

When you're stressed you lose more magnesium than usual which can lead to a magnesium deficit. A magnesium deficit can make you feel tired, lethargic and in a low mood which in turn can cause you to feel stressed, nervous or even depressed. 

Given the impact that magnesium can have on your mood it may also lead to aggression, irritability, anxiety and tension. Therefore, it's crucial to take enough magnesium, especially during stressful periods (looming work deadlines, exams, renovations etc), to relax your muscles as well as invoke a sense of peace in your mind.  

5 Treat your ageing body and bones

Magnesium has to be in balance with the calcium level in your body, especially when it comes to our bones and teeth. There, calcium acts as a form of chalk which is “glued” together by magnesium. This means that while calcium provides the material for our bones and teeth, magnesium keeps them strong and healthy. Taking magnesium can thereby prevent caries and cavities in your teeth.

While we grow older, our soft bone structure becomes stiffer and more inflexible which means that we need more magnesium to keep our bones and body fully functioning (a young age, in contrast, requires a higher calcium level). In order to slow down some of the ageing process like hard and wrinkled skin, fusion of spine and joints as well as calcifications of our system, it helps to take magnesium regularly. However, if you suffer from low blood pressure you might need a higher calcium intake, so speak to your health practitioner before you make any major changes.

6 Regulate your blood sugar and blood pressure levels

Magnesium is a great remedy when it comes to blood-related issues. It has been proven for example that the intake of magnesium can regulate the sugar level in our blood and thus magnesium helps to avoid an uncontrolled increase of our blood sugar levels. High blood pressure may also be improved with magnesium, by lowering blood pressure to a normal level. As magnesium helps the blood flow it can also prevent blood clots and thus reduce the risk of stroke.

7 Prevent several diseases

Based on the number of positive effects magnesium has on our bodies, it is not surprising that this mineral has been shown to prevent a number of diseases. Firstly, magnesium strengthens our immune system and supports a normal heart rhythm which leads to a reduced risk of heart attack and heart disease. It also seems to decrease the occurrence of hypertension, cardiovascular disease and diabetes as well as anxiety, depression, fatigue, migraine and panic attacks. Finally, a sufficient intake of magnesium prevents itchy, inflamed skin and improves the strength and vitality of your skin, hair and nails.

Now, you might be wondering how you get your daily dose of magnesium without putting too much effort into it. Don’t worry, we're here to help you!

Take magnesium with your food or apply it directly to your skin

The amount of magnesium naturally found in fruits and vegetables today is steadily decreasing due to modern farming practices, so to ensure you get sufficient magnesium you can take magnesium chloride supplements and/or obtain it transdermally through your skin.

By using dermatological ointments or magnesium sprays (like our own vegan and 100% natural Body Rescue relaxation spray) it is easy to infuse yourself with magnesium. Applying this essential mineral directly to your skin provides several benefits:

• Magnesium chloride is completely harmless to your skin and even helps with wound treatment. 
  
  
• To assist with muscle recovery, applying magnesium directly to the skin absorbs quickly into the muscles and bloodstream, providing quick effect. As opposed to taking an oral supplement which takes much longer to reach the focus areas of your body because muscles have a low blood and lymph circulation. 

If you have very sensitive skin, be careful not to apply too much magnesium at once to avoid irritation. If you apply too much and it feels sticky or itchy, gently wash off and use less the next time. 

Magnesium is a highly beneficial mineral that we must obtain from external sources. It improves our energy levels and muscle recovery after exercise, supports healthy metabolic functioning, reduces PMS symptoms and positively affects mood, as well as improving the appearance of our skin, nails and hair. So get your daily dose of magnesium to keep yourself in tip top condition! 💚

*Sources:

Bourke, B., & Last, W. (2008). Magnesium chloride for health and rejuvenation. Nexus magazine, 15(6).

Faryadi, Q. (2012). The magnificent effect of magnesium to human health: a critical review. International Journal of Applied, 2(3).