Why you should consider Magnesium if you feel stressed or anxious

According to experts, stress is a normal reaction to changes in pressure. In fact, our bodies are designed to experience stress and overcome it – provided, of course, that we are in optimal condition health-wise to do so. But if our bodies are missing one or two key components, such as certain nutrients that help regulate our physical and emotional responses, stress could become a huge problem that can negatively affect how other parts of our body function.

One of the nutrients that plays an important role in our normal stress response is magnesium. A major mineral that is used and stored by the body in large quantities, magnesium helps drive hundreds of different enzymatic reactions that are needed for the proper regulation of various bodily functions. These include the production of proteins, the performance of your nerves and muscles, the maintenance of blood sugar and normal blood pressure performance, and the release of brain chemicals that trigger stress.

Numerous studies have found a link between magnesium deficiency and an increased risk of mental health problems, such as stress, anxiety and depression. In fact, a study published in the journal Nutrients described the relationship between magnesium deficiency and stress as a "vicious circle" because stress could increase magnesium loss and cause a deficiency, while magnesium deficiency could enhance the body's susceptibility to stress.

In this feature article, you will learn all about magnesium, how low levels of this nutrient can affect your physical and mental health, and why adequate intake of magnesium is your best protection against the harmful effects of stress and deficiency.