Magnesium is a nutrient that has gained increasing attention over the past number of years and for good reason. It’s likely that you’ve seen it mentioned on social media via friends, healthcare professionals and influencers as people spread the good word.
Unfortunately, many of us are not meeting our requirements and feeling the effects as the benefits are so widespread in the body. But what are they?
Most of us will have heard of the impact magnesium can have on sleep, exercise and performance and anyone who has restless leg syndrome, has been pregnant or gone through menopause will worship it for its ability to relieve those leg cramps (am I right?!) but that’s not all this wonder mineral can do for you.
What are the benefits of taking a magnesium supplement?
Magnesium is one of seven essential microminerals, the minerals that are required in amounts of 100mg or more per day.
Magnesium is involved in over 300 enzyme processes in the human body, such as bone structure, muscle and nerve function, blood pressure regulation and immune support.
While magnesium can be sourced from the diet, studies suggest that 75% of individuals do not meet their dietary requirements.
Below are 6 benefits of magnesium:
- Supports biochemical reactions: Magnesium is present within every cell in your body, and each cell requires it to function correctly. Magnesium plays a role in energy creation, protein formation, gene maintenance, muscle movements, and nervous system regulation.
- Boosts exercise performance: Your body requires 10-20% (dependent on the exercise) more magnesium when exercising, in comparison to when resting. Magnesium aids in the movement of blood sugar to the muscles as well as the removal of lactate, which can accumulate during exercise and produce feelings of fatigue.
- Reduces insulin resistance: Insulin resistance is characterized by muscle and liver cells’ impaired ability to efficiently absorb sugar from the bloodstream. Magnesium is an important component in this process.
- Promotes sleep: Magnesium plays a key role in many of the steps that allow the body to utilize protein and convert it into the chemicals that promote sleep. Magnesium also helps relax the nervous system, which further enhances feelings of sleepiness, as well as muscle relaxation. Moreover, magnesium also aids in the maintenance of GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid), a neurotransmitter that is in charge of “switching off” wakefulness.
- Blood pressure regulation: Research has shown that magnesium supplements may contribute to the lowering of blood pressure by increasing the production of nitric oxide, a signaling molecule that helps relax blood vessels.
- Reduce leg cramping: Since magnesium is involved in muscle and nerve function, supplementation can reduce leg cramping. Leg cramping can happen to anyone at any age, however those with certain conditions, such as restless legs syndrome (RLS) and pregnant women are more vulnerable.
Sona Magnesium contains 500mg of elemental magnesium, which contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue, energy metabolism, muscle contraction and neurotransmission, protein synthesis, electrolyte balance, cell division, maintenance of bones and teeth, and many more.
References
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