Among all nutrients found in our body, magnesium is the fourth most abundant mineral. This is because it plays an extremely important role in the health and well-being of not only our body but also our brain. Hence, it is very important that your daily intake of food is well-balanced to help your body get enough magnesium that it needs for proper functioning.
You may wonder why your body needs so much of one mineral. Here is a quick guide to help you understand some of the key benefits your body gains from magnesium and why it is essential for your health.
It Improves the Performance of Enzymes
One of the key magnesium benefits is that it helps in almost 50% of the biochemical relations that take place in your body. In fact, every cell in your body needs magnesium for its proper functioning. Most of the magnesium in your body is found in the bones, while the rest is distributed among all the muscles in the body.
Magnesium helps convert the food that you eat into energy that your body uses for performing various tasks during the day. It also helps amino acids form new proteins and repairs worn-out and damaged RNAs and DNAs. Above all, magnesium is very important for the timely and proper contraction and relaxation of the muscles in the body.
It Combats Depression
Magnesium helps in the proper functioning of the brain cells that control your mood and energy levels. In our stress-filled reality, a lot of us could suffer from depression at some point in our life. Healthy levels of magnesium in the body could help combat depression and keep your mind calm and stress-free.
It Fights Type 2 Diabetes
Diabetes is a common disease that affects one in every three people. Research suggests that adequate levels of magnesium in the body have beneficial effects in fighting Type 2 Diabetes. People who suffer from this problem have low levels of magnesium in their blood. Inadequate magnesium in the bloodstream lowers the ability of insulin to keep the levels of blood sugar low and under control in the body.
In addition, it is also proven that people who intake less magnesium as part of their daily food are more prone to suffering from Type 2 Diabetes in the later stages of their life.
It is a Natural Anti-Inflammatory Drug
Low levels of magnesium in the body are directly related to increased chronic inflammation, which is one of the key drivers of obesity, aging, and chronic disease in the body. Furthermore, people who have low levels of magnesium in the body also suffer from increased insulin, blood sugar, and triglyceride levels. This is the reason people identified with such risks are often put on magnesium supplements or food rich in magnesium, such as dark chocolate and fatty fish.
It Helps in Sound Sleep
Sleep is one of the most important things in our life since it helps us calm down and prepare for the challenges of the next day. Low levels of magnesium in the body cause stress that may manifest itself through sleeping disorders.
You may have heard of Epsom salt bath, which helps fight sleeping problems. Epsom salt is rich in magnesium sulphate, and a bath with Epsom salt is proven to calm down your worn-out body and quiet your mind for a good night’s sleep. Meanwhile, other people prefer taking a cup of magnesium tea before bedtime for undisturbed sleep.
Final Thoughts
The health benefits of magnesium are many and the ones covered above are just scratching the surface. In fact, all vitamins and minerals play important roles in our body. Their deficiency can cause issues, either short term or long term.
Magnesium, in particular, is an essential mineral, and its proper balance in the body is necessary to support a healthy life and well-being.