You probably already know a lot about the other vitamins and minerals that are crucial to your overall optimal health, such as iron, calcium, and vitamin C, but other minerals – such as magnesium – are often neglected when it comes to choosing the foods and supplements that you put into your diet in order to stay healthy.
However, magnesium has a number of incredible health benefits that can make you stronger, that can ease your fatigue, and that can even improve your mood. Here are six incredible health benefits of magnesium that you can gain by eating the right kind of foods.
1. High Blood Pressure Regulation
Whether you have a family history of heart disease and high blood pressure, or you simply want to ensure that you maintain a healthy blood pressure, adding magnesium into your diet is a simple but effective way to ensure you don’t suffer the ill effects of hypertension.[1]
2. Migraine Headaches
Do you suffer from chronic migraine headaches? Many individuals will try every treatment under the sun, without realizing that one of the most effective treatments for migraines may actually be something as simple as magnesium. In fact, some researchers have suggested that every sufferer of migraines should attempt to use magnesium as a cure.[2]
3. Depression and Other Mood Problems
While deficient levels of magnesium have not been shown to be a cause of depression, many individuals have reported that using magnesium has been able to better help them transition out of depression and to elevate their mood[3].
Other issues such as anxiety have also been shown to be effectively treated by magnesium.
While your best option when feeling depression is to seek help form someone specialized in dealing with these issues, you may consider boosting your magnesium levels if you are feeling overly anxious or down in the dumps.
Related: 4 Interesting Signs You Need More Magnesium
4. Cancer Reduction
Studies have shown a 13 percent reduction in colorectal cancer among those individuals who have increased amounts of magnesium in their body[4].
Whether an individual has an increased risk of cancer due to family history or not, it can be a good idea to increase one’s magnesium intake to help prevent cancer.
5. Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease
A deficiency in magnesium levels can lead to insulin resistance, which in turn can lead to numerous problems, including an increased risk for diabetes and heart disease[5].
Ensuring that you are getting enough magnesium can help prevent these issues and keep your blood sugar at the appropriate levels.
6. Bone Health
Bone health is incredibly important for every individual, but especially for women as they grow older.
Magnesium, over half of which is stored in the bones within the body, works with both Vitamin D and calcium to promote healthy, stronger bones.
Having enough magnesium in your body can help prevent major issues such as osteoporosis, so be sure to keep this in mind – especially if you are at particular risk for these conditions[6].
Related: Magnesium: The Missing Nutrient to Better Health
As if these six factors weren’t enough, magnesium may be associated with a number of other health benefits as well.
In other words, you might want to look at ways you can incorporate magnesium rich foods in your diet, and to use an appropriate supplement if necessary.