Our bodies require a number of nutrients in order to function at optimal levels. Magnesium is a mineral that many people in the United States are deficient in. While many foods contain magnesium, the average American diet contains only about 50% of the recommended daily intake, making magnesium supplementation all the more important. Magnesium assists more than 300 enzymes in the body to complete chemical reactions like regulating blood sugar and blood pressure, building proteins and bones, and muscle and nerve functions. Here are 5 benefits of magnesium:

1. Improves Bone Density

You’ve probably heard about the importance of calcium in building strong bones, but did you know that magnesium is crucial as well? About 60% of the magnesium in the human body is found in the bones. Increased magnesium intake has been linked to improved bone mineral density in a number of different studies! In addition, magnesium works to regulate calcium and Vitamin D, both vastly important nutrients required for strong bones, making improved bone density one of several benefits of magnesium supplementation.

2. Can Help You Sleep

If you’re having trouble sleeping at night, give magnesium a try. In particular, magnesium glycinate has been shown in scientific studies to help people with insomnia fall asleep faster, stay asleep longer, reduce interruptions in sleep and boost the body’s naturally occurring levels of melatonin! This combination of magnesium and glycine, another amino acid that can help you fall asleep, is the most common magnesium supplement used as a sleep aid. It’s believed that magnesium deficiency affects the sleep-wake cycle, leading to common symptoms associated with insomnia.

3. Migraine Relief

There’s nothing worse than a migraine that you just can’t get to go away. Those who suffer from migraines often have lower levels of magnesium compared to others. Since magnesium helps to maintain the health of the nervous system, a deficiency can lead to neurological issues such as migraines. A 2021 study found that magnesium oxide was as effective as sodium valproate, a medicine used to treat migraines, in preventing migraines without the occurrence of negative side effects.

4. Improvement in Mental Health

Magnesium levels are believed to play a role in a number of mental health disorders, including anxiety and depression. A 2017 review found that low magnesium levels may be linked to higher levels of anxiety, in part because of activity in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, which controls our reaction to stress. A deficiency in magnesium can make us more susceptible to stress which can lead to depression. Because of these factors, improvement in mental health is one of the many benefits of magnesium!

5. Helps to Manage Diabetes

Magnesium deficiency can put us at greater risk of type 2 diabetes while magnesium supplementation can help patients manage their type 2 diabetes. Magnesium is believed to play a role in regulating insulin, which is responsible for moving sugar from the bloodstream to cells in order to maintain healthy blood sugar levels. A 2021 review showed that magnesium supplementation could improve blood sugar levels in patients with diabetes while enhancing sensitivity to insulin, allowing the body to use insulin in a more efficient manner to regulate blood sugar.

The many benefits of magnesium make it a truly super supplement! If you have questions about how magnesium supplementation could be beneficial for you or need help with your health, contact Specialty Care Pharmacy today!