With Google searches skyrocketing and social media abuzz, magnesium is having a moment. So what makes this mineral so special? Should you be taking magnesium, or is it just a fad?
Let’s dive into what magnesium is, why we need it, and what to look out for in a magnesium supplement.
What is magnesium?
Magnesium is one of the most abundant elements on the planet, found in plentiful supply in the Earth’s crust and flowing through the seas.
It’s essential to pretty much all forms of life, including ours.
However, your body can’t produce magnesium. That means you need to get magnesium from the foods you eat—plants or animals that get their magnesium from the soil or the oceans.
Where is magnesium found?
Magnesium can be found in lots of different foods, like leafy greens, nuts, whole grains, dairy products, and some types of fish.
Especially magnesium-rich foods are:
- Brazil nuts
- Spinach
- Brown rice
- Chia seeds
- Pumpkin seeds
- Mackerel
What does magnesium do?
Magnesium is a real super-nutrient. It’s involved in hundreds of biochemical reactions around your body, from turning food into energy, to regulating your nervous system, to repairing your DNA—and that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
Why do we need magnesium?
Magnesium plays a key role in your body’s vital processes:
- Bone health: magnesium helps build and maintain bone density.
- Heart health: magnesium keeps your heart ticking at a healthy rhythm, and regulates blood pressure and cholesterol.
- Blood sugar: magnesium keeps your blood glucose levels in check.
- Muscle and nerve function: magnesium helps muscles and nerves work normally.
- Protein production: magnesium helps turn amino acids into proteins.
- Energy production: magnesium supports normal energy metabolism.
We’d all be lost without it, which is why experts think magnesium has lots of benefits for our health. Studies suggest that magnesium can give you more restorative sleep, take care of your mental health, help you feel calmer, and enhance exercise performance and recovery.
Am I getting enough magnesium?
The recommended daily amount for magnesium is:
- 300mg a day for men (19-64 years)
- 270mg a day for women (19 to 64 years)
Factors like age, pregnancy and health conditions (especially high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and alcohol use disorder) can affect how much magnesium you need.
You should be able to get enough magnesium from a varied and balanced diet…but that’s not always possible, however good our intentions.
Most of our magnesium comes from the soil, via the food we eat. However, researchers have warned that the soil’s nutrient content could have fallen by as much as 40% since the 1950s, due to intensive farming. Also, we tend to eat more processed foods than previous generations.
Is it a good idea to take a magnesium supplement?
If you’re worried you’re not getting enough magnesium in your diet, you could consider taking a magnesium supplement. That way, you can set yourself up to experience all the health benefits magnesium has to offer.
Just make sure to take a pure, clean form of magnesium, so that your body can happily absorb its goodness. And don’t forget to check where your magnesium comes from—natural, sustainable sources will keep the planet happy too.
Coming soon
Our brand new, ocean-friendly magnesium supplement is sourced from nutrient-rich marine algae. Nothing Fishy. Everything to feel good about.