The Power of Magnesium: Why Everyone Should Add This Essential Mineral to Their Daily Routine

Magnesium is an essential mineral that plays a critical role in various physiological functions throughout the body. It is involved in over 400 enzymatic reactions and is required for the proper functioning of muscles, nerves, and biochemical processes.

In New Zealand and Australia, 90% of people lack dietary magnesium. Unless you are eating 15 handfuls of greens daily, you won’t be meeting your daily needs. So you need to match these through supplementation. 

Signs of deficiency include: 

• Muscle cramp/ spasms (especially during exercise) 
• Fatigue and weakness 
• Abnormal heart rhythm 
• Anxiety or Depression 
• Gut Issues 
• High Blood Pressure 
• Having trouble with sleeping 
• Bone Health Issues 
• Eye Twitching 
• Brain Fog 

Depletion occurs from stress, exercise, or alcohol. Hence, our need for supplementation. When choosing a good quality supplement, always look at ingredients, where these are sourced for, bioavailability and a reputable company. I do recommend practitioner grade supplements + elyte for an electrolyte source. 

Magnesium is crucial for converting food into energy. It activates enzymes involved in ATP (adenosine triphosphate) production, the body’s main energy molecule. If you're feeling fatigued, sluggish, or low on energy, magnesium deficiency might be a factor.

Magnesium is known for its calming effect on the nervous system, which helps regulate sleep patterns. It assists in the production of melatonin, the hormone responsible for regulating sleep-wake cycles, and it can also decrease cortisol, the stress hormone that interferes with sleep. Many people use magnesium to help them relax and fall asleep more easily.

Magnesium plays a key role in brain function and mood regulation. Studies have found a link between low magnesium levels and increased anxiety and depression. Supplementing with magnesium may help balance neurotransmitters in the brain and alleviate symptoms of mood disorders.

One of the most well-known benefits of magnesium is its ability to alleviate muscle cramps and spasms. This mineral helps regulate muscle contractions by balancing calcium levels, ensuring your muscles relax properly after contracting. Athletes and active individuals often turn to magnesium supplements to reduce post-exercise soreness, speed up recovery, and prevent cramping during workouts.

Elyte has 60mg of magnesium per sachet. The daily recommended amount to supplement with is 300mg, so you may need to top up your stores with more. Contact Annelies if you have any questions or would like to find out more about magnesium supplementation. 

- Annelies Grimshaw, Nutritionist and Co-Founder of Elyte