Boosting your level of this essential nutrient can support the body from head to toe.
WHAT
Magnesium is the fourth most abundant mineral in the body but most people do not have enough. Magnesium is involved in over 300 metabolic reactions all of which are essential to human health. It plays a starring role in the nervous system, energy production, muscle function, blood pressure and blood sugar regulation, and aiding in the stress response.
WHY
Diet, lifestyle, certain medications, even acute or chronic health conditions, can lead to less than optimum levels of magnesium in the body. There may be feelings of fatigue or weakness, numbness, headaches, tingling or cramps. Magnesium is a mineral to support sleep and relaxation and may have positive effects on anxiety and mood.
HOW
Increasing your consumption of dark green vegetables, nuts, seeds and legumes, is a great start but to really boost the intake, supplementing the diet may be of most benefit. Magnesium is available in various formulations for various purposes in tablets, capsules or powder. Having it as a drink allows me to take higher doses as needed to suit my changing requirements.
Citrate:
This is one of the most bioavailable forms of magnesium and the one I choose when I am treating pain such as headache and migraine.
Threonate:
This form is very easily absorbed and research indicates it is the most effective for increasing magnesium quantities in the brain as it is the only form to cross the blood/brain barrier. It has shown good results in depression and age related memory loss.
Glycinate:
This form of magnesium is well absorbed and has calming properties so it is my favourite in treating sleep disorders as well as anxiety, stress and depression.
Orotate:
This is a good form for cardiovascular health and energy production. A great choice for athletes as well as anyone with heart disease.
Oxide:
Be careful of this type as it is not used to treat magnesium deficiencies as it is poorly absorbed by the digestive tract. Rather it is used for short term constipation.
