If you only think of magnesium as an ingredient in your Sleepy Girl Mocktail, you’re sleeping on this essential mineral’s many other benefits.
Magnesium is involved in hundreds and hundreds of chemical reactions in the body, ranging from synthesizing protein to regulating our nervous system to blood sugar control to converting food into energy.
Ideally, we’d get all the magnesium we need from the food we eat, but that’s not always possible. And that’s where supplements can help. There are several common types of magnesium supplements, and they can come in both ingestible and topical form.
This essential mineral is a multitasking powerhouse that supports your mind, body, and beauty from the inside out. Here’s why we consider it a non-negotiable in our wellness arsenal.
Mind
Magnesium helps to regulate our nervous system (which, of course, is so much more than just the mind, but that’s where it starts). It helps modulate neurotransmitters, like glutamate and GABA (the brain’s “on” and “off” switches), that are crucial for normal brain function, cognition, learning, mood, and more.
So, magnesium can help ease anxiety, relax the mind for restorative rest, and even enhance the way we learn and create (and hang on to) memories. This is vital in the here and now, as well as long-term to help prevent age-related cognitive decline.
Body
Magnesium’s role in the body is also vital. It helps govern muscle contractions and helps to block calcium so that muscles can relax. This is essential in every part of our day, from fitness to resting, but magnesium can also help immensely with PMS and premenstrual cramps. By helping muscles relax, it’s incredible for workout recovery and boosting performance.
It may also help lower blood pressure and keep blood sugar in check—a double win for your health. By helping muscles relax, magnesium can ease post-workout soreness and even promote deeper, more restful sleep.
Beauty
Magnesium is shown to have anti-inflammatory properties, which help support our skin health and glow factor. Lower inflammation can help reduce acne and other skin disorders. It can also help lower cortisol, which, on a beauty level, can help improve skin texture, increase hydration, and potentially lessen dark circles.