Eat your greens..why magnesium is so important, for us all.

Magnesium deficiency can affect the central nervous system, more specifically the GABA cycle in the body. The side effects can include irritability and nervousness and as the deficiency worsens, it can cause high levels of anxiety and, in severe cases, depression and hallucinations. Magnesium has been shown to help calm the body; the muscles and help improve mood. It’s a vital mineral for overall mood.

Magnesium is an element and mineral found throughout nature and one of the body’s electrolytes. It is the fourth most abundant mineral in the body and is absolutely crucial to many aspects of health.

It is needed for every cell function from the gut to the brain and partnered with calcium it can help to support your blood pressure levels and protect the heart.

Diets rich in magnesium have been shown to significantly lower the risk of type 2 diabetes because of magnesium’s role in sugar metabolism.

If you are low on energy, feeling weak or suffering from fatigue, these are all common symptoms of magnesium deficiency which is why it is so important to eat a diet rich in magnesium and to get yourself checked out by your GP.

You can incorporate magnesium into your diet in several ways; Epsom salts baths is a great one, as the skin is the largest organ, you absorb the magnesium whilst relaxing. It is great for muscle fatigue, especially after a good session in the gym.

Here the top 10 magnesium-rich foods based on magnesium content

Spinach, cooked — 1 cup: 157 mg Swiss chard, cooked — 1 cup: 150 mg Dark Chocolate — 1 square: 95 mg Pumpkin seeds, dried — 1/8 cup: 92 mg Almonds — 1 ounce: 75 mg Black beans — 1/2 cup: 60 mg Avocado — 1 medium: 58 mg Figs, dried — 1/2 cup: 50 mg Yogurt or kefir — 1 cup: 46.5 mg Banana — 1 medium: 32 mg

If would prefer to take magnesium in a supplement form there are some great supplements our there to get your body back to its optimum potential. always seek the advice of a qualified health practitioner before taking supplements as they can interact with prescription drugs and dosage is vital.