Magnesium is an essential mineral for all humans, meaning that we cannot live without it. It is necessary for over 300 biochemical processes, including protein synthesis, muscle contraction and nervous system regulation including our fight or flight response.
Magnesium has a calming effect on the body and nervous system, allowing stress to be relieved so that you can relax properly and drift off to sleep. Low magnesium levels interfere with your brain, which can cause you to feel agitated and prevent you from falling asleep.
When you are exercising, your body uses more magnesium than when you are at rest; it uses magnesium to help move blood glucose into your muscles and also to dispose of lactate (which can build up during a workout and make you feel tired). After training, magnesium helps support protein synthesis and assists in the replenishment of glycogen.
Among people who are deficient in magnesium, gastrointestinal issues are very common. Magnesium helps to relax the body, including the bowels, easing constipation and lowering your risk of colon cancer.
Magnesium helps your body to metabolise cortisol, meaning that you can feel relaxed faster after a stressful event. It also helps regulate your fight or flight response by managing the amount of adrenaline and cortisol released in your body.
Inflammation is one of the main causes of heart disease. Magnesium decreases inflammation, making it an important contributor to optimal cardiovascular health.
Magnesium plays a role in regulating your mood, and low levels of magnesium in the body are linked to an increased risk of depression. It also plays an essential role in memory and learning, and other brain functions such as the neurotransmitter release of serotonin, which makes you feel relaxed and happier.
Supplemental magnesium has been shown to ease some of the most common symptoms of PMS, including cramps, irritability and water retention.
Insulin resistance is one of the main causes of type 2 diabetes, and magnesium helps you to become more insulin sensitive. Insulin resistance prevents your muscles and liver from absorbing the sugar from your bloodstream properly, and when you are already insulin resistant, the high levels of insulin in your body lead to losing even more magnesium through urine.
People who suffer from frequent migraines often have low levels of magnesium. More research in this area is needed, but evidence is emerging to suggest that magnesium can help to prevent and even treat migraines.
Simply put, magnesium is absolutely essential for good health, most people don’t have optimal levels and you should make sure you are getting enough. Since this is relatively difficult to achieve from food, we recommend a quality supplement, such as magnesium glycinate from Proteus Nutrition: https://proteusnutrition.com/products/magnesium-glycinate
If you have any questions about magnesium or other aspects of nutrition and how it can benefit you, why not come in and see us for a consultation at ATP Personal Training? Our experienced coaches can help you create a training, nutrition and supplementation plan that will have you feeling your absolute best in just a few weeks.
*Results will vary from individual to individual
**Results are based on each client’s circumstances.
