5 Reasons I Take Magnesium and Think You Should Too
1. Sleep
Life is hectic, so a good night’s sleep is essential for me. Magnesium can help insomnia and is one of the “essential” nutrients I take just before bed. To be clear about Magnesium’s role in sleep, I must say it will not guarantee you fall into a deep sleep quickly or keep you there all night. But I can say that low Magnesium levels will guarantee trouble in those two areas.
How does low magnesium keep you from sleeping well? Let’s dig a little deeper into how it works in your body. Magnesium is a vital tool for the GABA receptor in the brain and other parts of the nervous system. GABA receptors are responsible for calming the brain. When the GABA receptors aren’t activated, we tend to remain tense, our thoughts race, and we lie in bed staring at the ceiling. So Magnesium is required to activate the receptors needed to “switch off” our brains at night. If your sleep trouble stems from restless leg syndrome, read on.
2. Muscle Relaxant
Ever experience sore, tight muscles? I carry stress in my neck and shoulder area so these muscles are always tense. The effects of Magnesium are making a real difference for me in this area. It has been suggested that many individuals with muscle cramps can benefit from the muscle relaxant effect of magnesium. Furthermore, there seems to be more and more evidence that Restless Leg Syndrome can be related to magnesium deficiency. My sister-in-law began suffering with restless leg during pregnancy, but it has continued and worsened over the last two years. I have several patients who benefitted from Magnesium taken at bedtime for restless leg, so my sister-in-law is trying it. I’ll let you know how it works for her.
3. Heart Health
My lovely wife, Summer, experienced “heart flutters” when she laid down at night. It happened so frequently, she decided to see a cardiologist. The cardiologist did some tests and determined she was suffering from frequent periventricular contractions (PVC). The condition requires monitoring, but was not a major concern. Her doctor offered a medication to control the symptoms. She decided to take my advice and try Magnesium to see if it would help before starting the prescription. 7 months later, she still feels the flutters occasionally but not often enough to disrupt her life. Plus, it only seems to happen when she has forgotten her magnesium for a day or two.
Magnesium can also play a role in general heart health. It may help with lowering the risk of coronary heart diseases. Dietary surveys have suggested that sufficient magnesium intake may reduce the chance of having a stroke. Magnesium deficiency increases the risk of abnormal heart rhythms, which increases the risk of complications after a heart attack. Therefore, consuming recommended amounts of magnesium dietary supplements may be beneficial to the cardiovascular system. Magnesium may also help with Hypertension (high blood pressure).
4. Bone Health
I love sports and hope to pass that love on to my children. I want to play catch in the backyard with grandchildren someday, so I need to keep my bones strong. Magnesium is involved in bone formation and influences how bone is built up and broken down. Multiple research studies have suggested that calcium supplemented with magnesium improves bone mineral density. Magnesium deficiency alters calcium metabolism and the hormones that regulate calcium, resulting in osteoporosis. Intake of recommended levels of magnesium is important because it combats osteoporosis.
5. Prevention of Diabetes
With a family history of diabetes, I try to be conscious of my diet. Magnesium can help with carbohydrate metabolism and helps insulin work more efficiently, controlling blood glucose levels. It has been proven that for every 100 milligram increase in magnesium daily intake, there is a 15 % decrease in the risk of developing type-2 diabetes.
These are the top 5 reasons I take Magnesium, but there are many other benefits. It has also been known to help with:
PMS Cramping and Mood Swings
Asthma Depression Fibromyalgia
I, personally, take Magnesium Amino Acid Chelate. I usually take one 200 mg tablet at bedtime. The Amino Acid Chelate form is best for improved absorption into the blood stream. Most stores carry magnesium oxide or magnesium citrate. These versions may improve your digestive flow and, in the extreme, cause diarrhea. If you take magnesium that I have not listed or have any questions about the benefits of Magnesium, feel free to contact me. I would love for you to follow my lead and improve your health with Magnesium. It really does make a difference.
For more information regarding the background information and research discussed in the post, please contact Regel Pharmalab at (901) 757-9434.