Magnesium is our well known yet underrated, essential mineral (meaning we need to obtain it through diet) which is vital for the proper function of every cell in the body.

Most of us don’t know that we are lacking in this, however we know that topping up our stores can make a significant different to our overall wellbeing especially if we have noticed we have had a little more nervous energy, lack of sleep, unexplained headaches and even heart palpitations.

It is needed for over 600 cellular reactions in the body, and If there is any one key nutrient that literally everyone needs more of, it’s this!

Why? We burn through our magnesium stores faster with prolonged stress, and it depletes excessively with alcohol consumption, when we are eating mainly processed foods or consuming predominantly western style diets, and some medications can even inhibit the absorption.

It’s important to know because Magnesium is involved as a cofactor in more than 300 enzyme systems and is required for fundamental processes like energy production, DNA synthesis, protein synthesis, muscle contraction, nerve function, blood sugar regulation, hormone receptor bonding, blood pressure regulation, and cardiac conduction.

Magnesium is also responsible for activating Vitamin D in the body to support immune, bone, and parathyroid health, it is used in prevention and treatment of migraine headaches, prevention of metabolic diseases, treatment for insomnia and muscle cramps and so much more.

Not so amazingly, majority of the population is deficient in this micronutrient, and as a result we can have ongoing latent inadequacy inevitably resulting in metabolic dysregulation with ensuing adverse health manifestations. 

With so many important jobs to do in the body, here’s just a few of the benefits of magnesium:

  • Calms and soothes the nervous system and therefore the mind
  • Improves sleep quality
  • Relieves sore muscles, muscle cramps and joints
  • May help relive tension headaches and migraines
  • Ease premenstrual cramps and general PMS symptoms
  • Aids in recovery after exercise
  • Helps to reduce inflammation in the body

 

So how do we obtain optimal amounts of magnesium?

There are many forms of elemental magnesium, and some are better utilised by the body than others. One way to ensure we are boosting our levels is of course through diet eating all of those lovely leafy greens, raw cacao, and nuts and seeds.

If you feel as though an extra top up wouldn’t go astray, a magnesium bath is the perfect way to calm everything down before bed to program your nervous system and increase melatonin for a restorative night sleep.

Little Wildling Co incorporates the benefits of those heavenly herbal blends + topical Magnesium Chloride flakes to take your relaxing bath to the ultimate “me time” with SOOTHE + SOAK with Chamomile, Calendula and Lavender to calm, heal and restore, or CLEANSE + REFRESH with Mint, Dandelion and Rose to invigorate and refresh.

Internally we can take magnesium in the form of Magnesium Citrate which is the form most easily absorbed into the cells and is beneficial for those who may suffer from constipation, but also has al those amazing other benefits such as sleep quality, nervous system support and more.

GO Healthy have a range of magnesium supplements combined with other nutrients and herbs used in Western Herbal Medicine which are specially formulated to help with muscle recovery, and also aid in restful night sleep:

 

As always, you should work with a qualified practitioner if you have any major concerns, or you have some symptoms that do not improve to ensure there are no other sneaky underlying issues going on.

 

References:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5637834/

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/what-does-magnesium-do#dietary-sources

 

Written by Emily Vidler