Magnesium plays a key role in our health and when our body doesn't have enough, it shows. Find out how important Magnesium is for your nutrition.

Magnesium plays a key role in our health and more and more are deficient due to current soil conditions.  

Magnesium is a mineral found in the Earth’s crust and in the human body. It is found in fruits and vegetables and helps regulate human body processes such as a regular heartbeat, blood pressure, blood sugar and calcium balance in the bones.

Therefore, ensuring optimum amounts of magnesium in your body also means healthy bones, muscles, nerves and especially a healthy heart.  

Signs To Look Out For

Magnesium deficiency does not immediately present itself but if the lack of magnesium is prolonged, you will slowly start to see the signs. 

1. Low Energy

If you consistently have low energy every day, so much so that it slowly starts to affect your daily routines, it may be that you have a magnesium deficiency.

2. Muscle Spasms and Cramps

If you ever get those cramps out of nowhere that are borderline painful and restrict you from moving at all, that can be another sign of magnesium deficiency to look out for, along with calcium and potassium.

3. Depression or Anxiety

4. Sleep Problems

Experiencing sudden abnormalities in your sleeping problems, insomnia, snoring or just disruption of your sleep cycle can be related to magnesium deficiency.

Is there a test for Magnesium?

A blood test is available for serum Magnesium, but this is only used to check for extremes in the intensive care setting. 

Lesser known, is the red blood cell magnesium, the best available test, but it still isn't as accurate as an enquiry into symptoms.

What’s High in Magnesium?

There are a number of foods that are very high in magnesium content, which can help you avoid a magnesium deficiency. However, if you have had a prolonged deficiency, you may have to take some supplements which are very easy to find and use.

Some foods that are high in magnesium are:
Greens usually have a high magnesium content so chards, spinach, lettuce are good.

• Yogurt
• Avocados
• Black Beans
• Almonds
• Dark Chocolate

Magnesium Supplements

The most easily available and easy to use magnesium supplement is Magnesium Glycinate.

It is made up of the mineral magnesium and glycine, a non-essential amino acid. It is easily absorbed into the body and is less likely than other supplements to cause a laxative effect in your body.

However, in any case it is better to consult with your health care provider before starting supplementation whether you are treating a deficiency or avoiding one. Your physician can guide you better about the required dosage or avert any side affects you may face.

If you might be low on magnesium, it is important to balance this with other micromineral needs especially calcium and vitamin D.