Magnesium is a life essential along with water and oxygen. Magnesium is the ninth most abundant element in the universe and eighth most abundant element on earth. It is found in the earth’s crust and in the mantle, and is the third most abundant mineral dissolved in seawater with a 13% concentration.
It is no surprise that magnesium is everywhere considering its origin. Magnesium is born in stars, when under extreme temperatures, helium and neon fuse. Exploding supernovas are found to expel magnesium into the interstellar medium where it can bond with other metals eventually causing planets to form.
In our bodies we need to have about 25 grams of magnesium for proper functioning. About 50-60% of the magnesium is found in the bones and soft tissues. Less than 1% of total magnesium is in blood serum, and these levels are closely regulated and when needed magnesium from other parts of the body will move to the blood serum. Normal serum magnesium concentrations range between 0.75 and 0.95 millimoles (mmol)/L.
Magnesium is needed in over 600 enzymatic systems that regulate diverse biochemical reactions in the body, including protein synthesis, muscle and nerve function, blood glucose control, and regulation of blood pressure. Magnesium is required for energy production, oxidative phosphorylation, and glycolysis. It contributes to the structural development of bone and is required for the synthesis of DNA, RNA, and the antioxidant glutathione. Magnesium also plays a role in the active transport of calcium and potassium ions across cell membranes, a process that is important to nerve impulse conduction, muscle contraction, and normal heart rhythm use.
The realities of modern living is that the food we grow contains less magnesium because of our overworked and chemically-fertilized soil is also depleted of minerals. Our fast paced lifestyle full of stress, anxiety, electromagnetic exposure, depletes our bodies of magnesium faster then ever leaving us chronically fatigued, stressed and prone to insomnia. We must exercise our unique talent that sets us apart from other living creatures, and that is; to adapt. We need to replenish our magnesium levels daily, so we can survive and thrive into the future.
