What you need to know about magnesium

Curious about magnesium? Find out more about the benefits of magnesium and what foods you should be eating to get your daily dose of this essential nutrient.

Magnesium is an essential nutrient used by every organ, and active in more than 300 chemical reactions in your body. 

It’s a key player in a wide range of processes in our bodies – from regulating muscle and nerve function, blood sugar levels and vascular tone, to making protein, bone and DNA. 

Magnesium helps to support a number of areas in body including muscle health, heart health and nervous system function.

Magnesium may help to relieve muscle cramps and spasm, support cellular ATP energy production and support exercise performance if your dietary intake is reduced.

An adequate intake of magnesium may aid in relaxation and help support sleep.

Most green vegetables, legumes, peas, beans and nuts are rich in magnesium, as are some shellfish and spices.

Unrefined cereals provide a moderate amount of magnesium; highly refined products contain very little.

The amount of magnesium recommended each day varies by age and gender.

From one to three, 80mg is the RDI per day, increasing to 130mg from four to eight years of age. This increases again to 240 mg from nine to 13 years old, then 360 to 410 mg per day by 14 through adulthood.

By adulthood, men 400 mg per day until their hit their thirties, when it rises to 420 mg. Women require 310 mg until their thirties, increasing to 320 mg thereon – except during pregnancy when it rises to 420 mg.

While primary magnesium deficiency is rare in healthy people, our intake of magnesium is often below the RDI.

Alcohol, caffeine and excess salt intake can also affect our magnesium levels along with excessive sweating – particularly with exercise, and ongoing stress.

Absorption of magnesium is quite adaptive to our diet – studies have demonstrated a rate of absorption at around 25% for folk following a high magnesium diet, while another found those with more limited intake absorb up to 75%.

That said, some diets and minerals may reduce the absorption of magnesium, for example:

• High fibre intakes of 40-50 g/day
• High intakes of zinc at 142 mg/day
• Protein intake less than 30 g/day

While the best source of magnesium is food, the Bureau of Statistics' Australian Health Survey reveals about a third of adult Australians don't get enough magnesium.

Optimal levels of magnesium through the diet may be difficult to obtain at times, and a magnesium supplement may be of benefit if dietary intake is inadequate. 

Green juice magnesium boost

Leafy green vegetables are a great source of magnesium so why not whip up a green juice in the morning. Blend together these ingredients and enjoy:

• Spinach
• Kale
• Celery
• Lemon
• Coconut water
• Pineapple
• Mint

Choc almond bliss balls

Cacao and almonds are also a source of magnesium, and these bliss balls are a great healthy option when your energy levels are flagging or energy or your sweet tooth is knocking on the door demanding to be fed.

• ⅔ cups of shredded or desiccated coconut plus extra for coating
• 1 cup of almond meal
• ¼ cup almonds
• ⅓ cup cacao powder
• 10 Medjool dates (or 1 cup soaked dates)
• Zest and freshly squeezed juice of one medium orange
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil or butter

Put all ingredients into a food processor and blitz until combined. Roll into small balls. Roll in the added coconut. Place on a lined tray and pop in the fridge until serving.