THE IMPORTANCE OF MAGNESIUM, THE MOST ESSENTIAL MINERAL
Our need for magnesium has never been so great. Modern diet and pressured lifestyles have resulted in a drastically poor magnesium intake, significantly lower than anything experienced before.
Intensive farming and processed foods have been a major factor in the last century and magnesium now represents the largest decline of all nutrients in the UK Government’s National Diet and Nutrition Survey.
Our bodies are designed to absorb this essential mineral via healthy grazing of nuts, wholegrain and dark greens, little but often and daily. Unfortunately, as our diet has changed the representation of magnesium within it has dramatically reduced. This is due to not only our diet but also how we produce the foods we eat. To supplement magnesium, however, the practice of little but often still applies. Oral supplementation has some impact, but it provides a very slow process of cellular improvement.
Signs of magnesium deficiency
Magnesium deficiency can manifest itself in many different symptoms that are not exclusively linked to low levels of magnesium. This makes it difficult to diagnose and often sees deficiency go unnoticed and untreated. Symptoms can include but are not limited to poor sleep, poor concentration, low energy and stress and anxiety to name a few.
If you experience any of these symptoms, this could indicate that you may need to boost your magnesium intake.
A magnesium-rich body will be stronger, more flexible and better able to resist both physical and emotional stress. It is fundamental for a healthy functioning body.
The importance of a good night’s sleep
UK adults are the worst sleepers in the world, according to an international survey.
We spend approximately a third of our lives asleep. While sleeping, the body detoxifies, repairs and regenerates its cells and tissues, vital for maintaining good physical and mental health.
Good quality sleep is crucial for us all. Poor sleep over a prolonged period of time can lead to problems such as anxiety, depression, poor concentration and weight gain. Magnesium works on a cellular level to relax the body getting rid of excess tension.
Magnesium’s role in sleep
It is well known that poor sleep can have a dramatic effect on our health, but what’s less well known is that a deficiency in magnesium can be one of the main factors affecting the quality of sleep we can achieve.
The body needs magnesium to maintain a state of rest and low levels can lead to restless muscles that can keep you awake at night. Magnesium also ensures the GABA receptors (GABA is a neurotransmitter that plays an important role in behaviour, cognition and the body’s response to stress) in our brain and nervous system are working efficiently. GABA receptors help the brain switch off in preparation.
