Magnesium matters for good life/health balance

magnesium supplements

Magnesium matters for good life/health balance

Magnesium plays several critical roles in the health of your body and brain.

However, you might not be getting enough of it, even if you eat a healthful diet.

Magnesium is a mineral found in the ground, sea, plants, animals and humans.

About 60% of the magnesium in your body is found in bone, while the rest is in muscles, soft tissues and fluids, including blood.

In actuality, every cell in your body contains it and needs it to function.

One of magnesium’s major roles is acting as a cofactor or “helper molecule” in the biochemical reactions continuously performed by enzymes.

Unfortunately, studies suggest that about 50 per cent of people in the US and Europe get less than the recommended daily amount of magnesium.

It May Boost Exercise Performance

During exercise, you may need 10-20% more magnesium than when you’re resting, based on the activity.

Magnesium helps move blood sugar into your muscles and eliminate lactate, which can build up in muscles during exercise and lead to pain.

Studies have shown that supplementing with it can boost exercise performance for athletes, the elderly and people with chronic disease.

In one study, volleyball players who took 250 mg of magnesium per day experienced improvements in jumping and arm movements.

In another study, athletes who supplemented with magnesium for four weeks had faster running, cycling and swimming times during a triathlon.

However, the evidence is mixed. Other studies have found no benefit of magnesium supplements in athletes with normal or low levels of the mineral.