Magnesium is an important mineral that’s crucially important for your body to function properly.
It’s the fourth most abundant mineral found in your body[2] and it’s essential to all living cells and vital for myriad physiological functions[3].
The reason why the benefits are so numerous and varied is because of the many ways that optimal levels of magnesium are necessary to function optimally.
For instance, magnesium is required for the production of ATP (the main source of energy in our cells)[4], and the production of DNA, RNA, and proteins[5].
Magnesium plays an important role in cell-to-cell communication[6].
Over 300 enzymes (biological catalysts that make chemical processes happen in our body) require the presence of magnesium to function properly[7].
Because of its positive charge, magnesium stabilizes the cellular membranes[8].
How common is magnesium deficiency?
While a deficiency severe enough to warrant medical attention is relatively rare, some health professionals believe that suboptimal levels of magnesium are relatively common, with estimates as high as 75% of people in the US not having a sufficient intake,[16] let alone an optimal intake, which has yet to be precisely defined.
As with any essential nutrient, here at Feel Younger we believe that it’s always ideal to test your magnesium levels to be sure if it would be beneficial to take.
The best tests for Magnesium are generally considered to be: RBC (red blood cell) or intracellular magnesium, to get a true understanding of overall deficiency.
The more common tests are plasma or serum magnesium, which are much cheaper and easily available, but which are less of a true reflection of your body’s stores of magnesium, as your body will tend to keep your plasma and serum levels in a tight range in all but severe cases of deficiency.
RBC (red blood cell) or intracellular magnesium tests, on the other hand, are considered to give a more accurate indication of true, overall levels of magnesium stores in the cells, which is what actually matters when assessing if levels are optimum.
If you’re unable to access these tests however, then, given that Magnesium is a natural substance that is very safe for the vast majority of the population (see below for exceptions), it seems reasonable to try it, if you would like to support your body to Feeling Younger and Healthier, especially if you identify with some of the early signs of deficiency listed above.
What causes Magnesium Deficiency?The most commonly understood causes of Magnesium Deficiency include[17]: