By Jessica • 13 Comments
The ways magnesium is beneficial seem to be highly underrated! After doing my own research on the matter, I found that magnesium combined with calcium provides an array of essential benefits for normal bodily functioning as well as medicinally. It's literally involved in more than 300 bodily functions which is just crazy! Taking this supplement, in the right form and dosage, will help those who are mainly deficient in this essential nutrient, as well as those needing a little extra boost. Listed below are a few super important ways magnesium is beneficial to the body. Enjoy!
Heart palpitations are super common and are usually harmless, albeit a little irritating. They are essentially irregular heart beats or skipped beats altogether and they usually last only a few seconds. I actually suffer from them on a regular basis and when I was having a bout of them that didn't seem to go away, I started taking magnesium and sure enough, they desisted! One of the ways magnesium is beneficial is that it acts as the transportation mechanism for calcium and potassium ions across the heart, which produce a regular heart beat. So, try magnesium if you have heart palpitations!
Just like having an irregular heartbeat in your heart muscle, your other muscles, usually legs, can be affected by low levels of magnesium. Magnesium regulates protein synthesis as well as muscle and nerve function. This is why pregnant women get charlie horses in their legs (I had them BAD) because you become increasingly deficient as a fetus develops. If you suffer from cramping, muscle spasming and twitching, you may be deficient and should look into a magnesium supplement.
Magnesium acts as a natural laxative and is the main ingredient in over-the-counter medicines for constipation. If you take it in liquid form combined with calcium (which is best because you absorb it much more quickly and completely than pill form), take half a dose in the morning and another half at night with half a banana (for the potassium) each time. This will prevent a tummy ache. Your potassium is depleted with such a quick absorption of magnesium so the banana replaces it, as well as reducing the laxative effects that may not necessarily be desired. But if you need the laxative affects, then by all means take the full dosage!
We all know that we need calcium for strong bones and that is absolutely true, but magnesium is arguably even more essential. Magnesium works with Vitamin D to turn calcium into it's active form, as well as drawing calcium back into the bones. For us women, that means stronger bones and a lowered chance of osteoporosis!
Magnesium is a relaxant which promotes healthy blood circulation by dilating the arteries so your blood can flow more freely. Blood pressure also drops as a result! This means your body is more efficient at delivering oxygen to all the organs of your body, including your brain. More oxygen to your brain means faster critical thinking skills and improved overall mood. Sounds pretty amazing to me!
Did you know that magnesium can help prevent as well as treat Type II Diabetes? Magnesium boosts hormone levels that regulate metabolic function as well as regulating your blood sugar. Foods that are high in nutrition, including high amounts of magnesium, are leafy greens, fish, dairy products and nuts, legumes and seeds.Of course,a healthy lifestyle in general will prevent the development of diabetes.
Migraines are painful and debilitating and involve (but not necessarily are caused by) a change of blood flow to the brain due to constricted vessels. Migraines can be triggered by a number of things including alcohol, smoking, hormone changes, sleep deprivation, etc. Since magnesium regulates blood flow throughout the body, taking a magnesium supplement could help in preventing regular occurrences of migraines!
As you can see, there are many amazing benefits to taking magnesium and since most adults are deficient to some degree, it would be wise to either incorporate magnesium in your diet through your food intake and/or in supplement form! Do any of you ladies take a magnesium supplement? Have you noticed any physical improvements in your body or mood?
Sources:ods.od.nih.gov, m.huffpost.com, umm.edu