It is not uncommon to struggle to get to sleep every now and then, but what can we use to help us sleep? Find out how magnesium helps with sleep here.
It is not uncommon to suffer from difficulty getting to sleep or feeling But suffering from what is called insomnia can be difficult to deal with for some. So, what is there that can be done to help? With a large variety of sleeping tablets out there, choosing the right one can be a bit confusing. One sleeping supplement that has recently started to gain a lot of attention is using magnesium as a sleep aid. So, should we use magnesium to sleep? Let’s find out.
Magnesium is an essential nutrient that the body needs to successfully drive 300 processes a day. It also helps to support a healthy immune system and helps to regulate nerve and muscle function. Magnesium also ensures steady blood pressure, as well as keeps the bones in our bodies strong.
Adding magnesium to your diet has the potential to help you sleep better. Research shows that magnesium plays an important role in improving sleep regulation. This is because magnesium supports the activation of the parasympathetic nervous system. Which is the system that is responsible for calming and relaxing you and your body. A lack of magnesium in the diet can negatively impact sleep, though it is rare to have a low amount in your diet.
There are parts of the body that magnesium stimulates which aids healthy and positive sleep patterns. This all helps the body to achieve deep and restful sleep. There are other benefits that magnesium offers to the body:
It is a known fact that in order to get a good night’s sleep, your brain and body need to be relaxed. Magnesium helps regulate neurotransmitters that send signals all throughout the nervous system and also send signals to the brain. Magnesium also aids the regulation of the hormone melatonin; this hormone helps lead the sleep cycles in our bodies.
Magnesium also binds to receptors known as gamma-aminobutyric (GABA), which are responsible for slowly quieting down the nerve activity in our bodies.
Depression and anxiety can both have harsh effects on the way one sleeps. Magnesium can help to ease mood disorders such as depression and anxiety. This is connected with the mineral’s ability to stimulate the calming processes of the nervous system.
Magnesium supplements are available to aid with sleep. However, before deciding whether that is the next step in your sleep journey, decide whether adding more magnesium-rich foods to your diet would be more beneficial first. Magnesium can be found in most vegetables, fruits, grains, whole grains, dairy and high-protein foods.
If after adding more magnesium-rich food to your diet, you notice you are still struggling with sleep, then supplements may help. Magnesium supplements can be taken a few hours before you go to sleep, however, it is recommended that magnesium supplements be taken in the morning. Make sure to not exceed the recommended daily intake of magnesium, which is 310-360 mg for women and 400-420mg for men.
Before starting supplements, it is always best to consult your doctor. This way they will be able to rule out any underlying health issues that can be causing your tiredness, such as anaemia, or other vitamin deficiencies.
Magnesium can be a supplement used to aid and improve your sleep. The mineral plays an important role in the nervous system and the brain, activating mechanisms that help to calm and relax you. It also has the ability to help improve symptoms of depression and anxiety.
That is our guide on whether you should take magnesium to help with sleep. If you want to know more about tiredness and how to boost your energy, then take a look at our article on how to stop feeling so tired, next.
Sources:
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/magnesium-and-sleep#TOC_TITLE_HDR_8
