Why is Magnesium so Important?


Magnesium is absolutely essential for good health! It is needed for more than 300 biochemical reactions in the body.

Magnesium is required for energy production, it helps maintain normal nerve and muscle function, supports a healthy immune system, keeps the heartbeat steady, and helps bones remain strong.

Magnesium deficiency is extremely common and may result in the following symptoms:

  • Fatigue & poor energy production⠀
  • Mood and behavioural problems
  • Memory problems, brain fog⠀
  • Anxiety, poor stress coping⠀
  • Poor sleep and Insomnia⠀
  • Aches and pains⠀
  • Muscle twitches & spasms, cramps⠀
  • PMS⠀
  • Migraines⠀
  • High blood pressure⠀
  • Digestive issues/constipation

Because magnesium is involved in so many ways it makes it difficult to identify because it looks like a lot of other conditions.

One of the biggest causes of low magnesium is physical or emotional stress.  Because stressful situations require more magnesium use by the body, this can lead to a deficiency. 

The deficiency of magnesium from stress then compounds the problem as low magnesium on its own can lead to experiencing anxiety, poor stress coping and poor sleep.  If this goes on for too long, many of the above symptoms can begin to manifest more deeply. 

Other factors that may increase the demand for magnesium are certain medications, consuming excess coffee and alcohol, energy drinks, high sugar intake, a high processed food diet with a low intake of fresh whole foods that contain magnesium.  Digestive issues can be a factor too, as you may have a hard time absorbing nutrients in general.

Just about everyone can benefit from additional magnesium in the diet and/or by supplementation.  The recommended daily intake of magnesium is 350 mg per day while a therapeutic dosage may range from 400 – 1000 mg per day.

Fortunately, there are plenty of magnesium rich foods to prevent a magnesium deficiency.   Some of these include:

  • Nuts and seeds
  • Green leafy vegetables
  • Avocadoes
  • Figs
  • Bananas
  • Almonds
  • Cashews
  • Brewer’s yeast
  • Dark chocolate
  • Molasses
  • Parsnips
  • Tuna
  • Yoghurt
  • Wholegrain cereals

At Synergy we compound our own Magnesium Glycinate right here in the lab.  It is a pure form of magnesium with no fillers.  This is one of the best absorbed forms of magnesium and the gentlest on the stomach. 

Some of the reasons for the high bio-availability of this form of magnesium is because it is bound to glycine which is a relaxing amino acid as well as the fact that it helps to decrease the pH level in the small intestine, further helping to increase the absorption.

As there are many different forms of Magnesium, it is important to get the right one for you to achieve the best results. If you think you may benefit from supplementation of magnesium gives us a call or come in to have a chat with one of our health care professionals.