Magnesium - A Common Deficiency Easily Supplemented

Awareness of the wonder-mineral Magnesium is growing all the time, but as it’s hard to keep straight all the individual vitamins and minerals, I’m going to give you the low-down.  

It is a mineral, and it has a catalytic effect upon over 300 body functions, meaning over 300 functions need its’ presence in order to take place. When you note these include key aspects of heart health, muscle relaxation and hormone health, you begin to get why it’s so popular.  

It is present in many common foods we eat, such as spinach and nuts, but sadly due to factors like over-farming and soil-degradation, there is less and less showing up in tests. (1) Consequently, few people meet the recommended Dietary Reference Values (commonly known as Recommended Daily Allowances) for magnesium intake, and these are only minimum requirements anyway! (2) This deficiency continues downhill as we age, so supplementation is advisable for most adults.  

• Magnesium and pain relief  

When pain is caused by tense muscles and nerves, like in the case of migraine, tension headaches, PMT and fibromyalgia, it may be relieved by taking magnesium. In the case of fibro it’s worth checking out Viridian Di-Ribose and Magnesium complex.  

• Nerve health  

A lack is associated with anxiety and stress related disorders. Magnesium works in tandem with calcium to ensure proper nerve impulse transmission, so when it’s missing, we feel bad! Supplementation in this case works as a nerve tonic, and it can be found in complex with B-Vitamins and various calm-promoting herbs in Melissa Dream tablets, and Balance for Nerves capsules.  

• Pre-menstrual Syndrome and Menopause 

Deficiency can lead to hormone imbalance and so be a causal factor of pain and stress in many women with PMT, in perimenopause and menopause.  

• Cardiovascular health and high blood pressure  

Magnesium deficiency is a common feature of conditions such as irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, mitral valve prolapse and peripheral vascular disease. Evidence suggests that supplementation can be both preventative and therapeutic, but as always we suggest checking with your doctor if you’re on medication at all.  

My personal favourite way of taking it is to mix Viridian Magnesium Citrate Powder into my glass of water before bed. It is supposed to be the best type for absorption, and it promotes restful sleep due to its muscle-relaxing properties.  

We also stock tablets, capsules, a topical spray and bath salts, and it appears in most multivitamin multimineral complexes. Come and have a look!  

1. Fan, M.S., et al, 2008, Evidence of decreasing mineral density in wheat grain over the last 160 years. J Trace Elem Med Biol. 22(4):315-24. 

1. Public Health England, 2016, National Diet and Nutrition Survey Years 5 and 6. NatCen Social Research, UK.