Work, money, kids – there could be many reasons why you’re feeling more anxious than usual. Surprisingly, reducing anxiety might be as simple as upping your magnesium intake. Olivia Hartland-Robbins explains.
Anxiety, whether mild or severe, is an unpleasant feeling. If you’re dealing with it, know that you’re not alone. In the UK, anxiety is one of the most common mental health issues, affecting more than one in ten people at some point in their lives. Many factors can contribute to anxiety, including stress, medication, and illness. While treatments like anti-anxiety medication and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) are well-known, less commonly recognized is the link between anxiety and magnesium deficiency.
Recent studies have shown that taking magnesium daily can significantly reduce anxiety symptoms. One study focused on adults with mild to moderate depression found that six weeks of magnesium supplementation improved their symptoms regardless of age, gender, or use of antidepressants. Most participants felt better within just two weeks.
Despite magnesium being abundant in foods like brown rice, leafy greens, beans, avocados, almonds, and dark chocolate, around 70 percent of people have low levels of this vital mineral. Magnesium plays a key role in over 300 bodily functions, including muscle relaxation, sleep regulation, and mood stabilization. One study indicated that one in five women aged 19 to 34 don’t get enough magnesium.
The recommended daily intake of magnesium for adults is 375 milligrams, which increases during pregnancy. Unfortunately, Western diets heavy in processed foods and refined grains are low in magnesium. Additionally, the magnesium content in common foods has decreased by about 20 percent since the 1950s due to over-farming and pollution.
Magnesium deficiency can lead to poor sleep, exhaustion, anxiety, and a weakened immune system. Symptoms like these might make you think it’s just your busy lifestyle, but low magnesium could be the culprit.
Magnesium is essential for good sleep because it helps relax the body and brain. It works with GABA, a neurotransmitter that reduces anxiety and prepares the body for sleep. Research has shown that magnesium levels in cells affect the body’s sleep cycle, making it easier to sleep and wake up at the right times. Clinical trials have proven that magnesium can increase sleep time and quality.
Poor sleep and anxiety often feed into each other, creating a vicious cycle. A study at Reading University found that BetterYou’s Magnesium Sleep Lotion improved sleep for 92 percent of participants in at least one area, with 70 percent reporting better overall sleep quality.
Exhaustion is another symptom of magnesium deficiency. If you’re constantly tired, it might not just be physical fatigue but also mental. Anxiety can overactivate your nervous system, making you feel exhausted. Magnesium helps calm the nervous system and is crucial for energy production. It combines with ATP, the body’s main energy source, to power vital functions.
Magnesium also plays a role in mood regulation. Low levels can leave you feeling down and irritable, as it affects serotonin and other mood-related neurotransmitters. Additionally, magnesium is important for immune function, helping to produce antibodies and keep you healthy.
Increasing your magnesium intake can be simple. While the recommended daily intake is 375mg, higher levels are safe, though oral supplements can sometimes cause digestive issues. Transdermal magnesium, which is absorbed through the skin, is an effective alternative.
BetterYou offers a variety of products for this purpose, including Magnesium Flakes, Gel, Sleep Lotion, Skin Body Lotion, and Skin Body Butter. Their Magnesium Oil Spray delivers 200mg of magnesium directly to your skin in just ten sprays, helping reduce stress and anxiety quickly.
Consider adding magnesium to your routine, and you might find it eases your anxiety and improves your overall well-being.
