Lying awake, restless at night, is one of the worst feelings, particularly if you regularly struggle with sleep. Not only does it make our day-to-day lives hard, but a lack of sleep is also bad for our overall health in the long run.
If you can’t chalk your sleeplessness up to an underlying sleep disorder like insomnia or sleep apnoea, then fixing the issue can feel impossibly hard.
You may think that to finally get a good night’s rest, you’ll have to start taking a host of drowsy sleep-inducing medications, but that’s not the case.
Magnesium is the all-around health hero that could be a resource to control blood sugar, your heartbeat, blood pressure, and so much more. But the little-known secret about magnesium is that it could be great for sleep, too!
“Magnesium is the primary mineral to relax our muscles,” explains Olivia Arezzolo, Australia’s leading sleep expert. “This means when we have it in abundant amounts, especially before sleep, we naturally feel tired. Note that the brain is also a muscle – so it helps us feel more relaxed mentally too.”
Signs of a magnesium deficiency
Magnesium is an essential mineral in our bodies, and for some of us, we may be deficient in it, which can, in turn, cause a host of health problems, including poor sleep. While only a blood test can conclusively tell you if you have a magnesium deficiency, there are also signs our bodies give out that can tell us too. These can include:
- Muscle cramps or spasms
- Fatigue
- Poor sleep
- High blood pressure
- Loss of appetite
How does magnesium promote better sleep?
Magnesium can be found in foods like wheat, spinach, quinoa, nuts and avocado. You could also speak to your doctor about supplementing your diet through the addition of a magnesium supplement, like Glowable’s Adapt (which contains Magnesium Glycinate). Whilst magnesium as a mineral has a range of health benefits, it also works to give you a better night’s sleep through things like:
- Muscle relaxation – Muscle relaxation is deeply important to a deep and restorative sleep. Magnesium naturally eases muscular tension by balancing calcium levels in the body, which makes it easier to fall asleep.
- Regulating GABA – If you don’t get enough magnesium in your diet, your GABA regulation may be affected. GABA (which stands for gamma-aminobutyric acid) is a neurotransmitter that promotes calmness when the brain’s neurons are tense, anxious and stressed. Magnesium supplements can help regulate the GABA function, ensuring you get a good night’s sleep.
- Regulating melatonin – Magnesium also ensures that your body is producing ample amounts of melatonin, a chemical that is released by our brains at night to stimulate sleep.
When should you take magnesium?
Unlike dedicated sleep aids like sedatives and melatonin supplements, magnesium doesn’t need to be taken right before bed, or any particular time for that matter, as long as it’s being taken consistently.
Not only can you take magnesium at any time of day, but you can also use it long-term. Contrary to sleep supplements, magnesium is a vital mineral for our bodies and can be incorporated into your daily routine.
“Magnesium can in fact be used long-term, like you can take a greens supplement long-term,” Olivia explains.
Some options:
01
IMBIBE 5-in-1 Chocolate Magnesium Complex
from $55 at IMBIBE
A mineral-rich blend of cocoa and coconut, which is formulated to aid in muscle recovery and support a deeper sleep.
Key features:
- Vegan product that is gluten- and dairy-free.
- Cocoa sourced from Rainforest Alliance-certified suppliers.
- Mix with water or milk of choice
02
Happy Mammoth Magnesium Breakthrough
from $59.99 at Happy Mammoth
150-300 word description of this product.
Key features:
- Gluten-, sugar-, and dairy-free
- A full-spectrum formula with 5 forms of magnesium
03
Advanced Magnesium+
from $24.99 at JSHealth Vitamins
A blend of three forms of Magnesium which aims to be an aid with muscle relaxation and function.
Key features:
- Blend of three forms of Magnesium
- Australian Made
Always consult with your doctor before starting any new supplement, particularly if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, have any existing health conditions, or are taking medication.
