Health Benefits of Magnesium for Women’s Health and Happiness

What is Magnesium?

Magnesium is a vital mineral that supports nearly all the processes in the human body. This element contributes to over 300 biochemical functions in the body.

These processes include the nerve's functioning, energy production, bone formation, and muscle contraction.

Despite its numerous benefits, women do not take enough Magnesium to support the functioning of these processes.

Importance of Magnesium for Women and Its Benefits

We all have heard about magnesium, but what is magnesium good for?' and 'What is the importance of Magnesium for women?' Women go through different phases in life, like puberty, pregnancy, and menopause.

These phases cause specific physical changes in their bodies. Adequately taking Magnesium ensures that women's well-being is maintained correctly.

Dana Habash-Bseiso,MD, an Internal Medicine Specialist at the University Hospitals, was quoted in the University Hospitals article, says

Magnesium is involved in more than 300 different enzyme activities that help to regulate biochemical reactions in our body.

Some people curiously ask 'What is magnesium good for in women?'. To answer this question, here are some magnesium benefits for women's health:

1. Hormonal balance and support for PMS.

Women often experience hormonal changes depending on their phases. Magnesium regulates progesterone and estrogen levels, reducing the symptoms of:

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)

Women who experience Premenstrual syndromes experience bloating, menstrual cramps, and mood swings. Taking Magnesium reduces these discomforts by:

• Reducing inflammation and causing the muscles to relax
• Regulating neurotransmitters that influence mood swings, depression, and anxiety
• It balances the fluid content in the body, lowering water retention and bloating

Eases Menopause Symptoms:

Easing menopause is one of many magnesium benefits for women's health. When a woman experiences menopause, her estrogen significantly decreases.

This reduction leads to symptoms like mood swings, night sweats, and hot flashes. Magnesium helps by:

• Regulating the sleep hormone melatonin, which enables you to sleep and relax better.
• Reducing the body's stress hormone, lowering cortisol levels, lowering stress and irritation
• Supporting your bone health by lowering the risk of Osteoporosis, which comes with menopause.

2. Supports Bone Health, preventing Osteoporosis

One of the benefits of Magnesium is bone support. Women experiencing menopause are often prone to Osteoporosis.

This condition is a result of a reduction in their estrogen levels. Magnesium strengths women's bones by:

Enhancing how the body absorbs calcium ensures it is directed toward the bones and not the soft tissues

Functioning with vitamin D to sustain bone density.

Stimulating the production of cells that form bones, reducing the chance of a fracture

3. Increases energy levels

One of the many magnesium benefits is increased levels. Women who multitask between work, home, and personal tasks often struggle with energy levels. Magnesium helps with:

• Converting food to energy at the body's cellular level prevents you from feeling weak
• Reducing soreness and fatigue in the muscle. This benefit of Magnesium is beneficial for women who exercise regularly.

4. Reduces stress anxiety

Reducing stress and anxiety is an essential factor in the benefits of Magnesium for women. Magnesium is often described as the 'nature's relaxant.' This description is due to the calming effect magnesium has on the nervous system.

• Magnesium regulates the body's neurotransmitters, like dopamine and serotonin. These neurotransmitters improve your mood and lessen feelings of anxiety.
• Magnesium also decreases the body's stress hormone, preventing your chances of having stress-related issues.

Also Read: Vitamins for Stress and anxiety

5. Improves quality of sleep

Several women struggle with quality sleep due to hormonal fluctuations, stress, or lifestyle. Magnesium reduces this difficulty, making it one of the various magnesium benefits for women. Magnesium improves the quality of your sleep by:

• Initiating the parasympathetic nervous system responsible for helping your body relax and prepare to sleep
• Regulating how the body produces melatonin. Melatonin controls the body's sleep and wake pattern.

6. Supports the health of your heart and regulates blood pressure

Heart disease is a leading cause of death in women. Magnesium supports your heart by:

• Relaxing your blood vessels, maintaining your blood pressure level
• Regulating your heartbeat, preventing abnormal heart rhythms
• Reducing inflammation, a contributing factor to heart disease
• Rising your good cholesterol (HDL) and reducing your bad cholesterol (LDL)

Also Read: Magnesium Citrate vs Glycinate

7. Controls blood sugar levels and reduces your chances of having diabetes

Magnesium is crucial in regulating blood sugar by helping your body effectively utilise insulin. Magnesium benefits women by:

• Increasing your body's sensitivity to insulin reduces your chances of having type 2 diabetes.
• Controlling spikes in your blood sugar levels, which can result in energy crashes and your sudden craving for sugar
• Strengthening your metabolic health decreases your probability of developing conditions related to obesity

8. Improves your digestive health

• Magnesium helps your body digest foods. However, it can also cause gastrointestinal problems such as bloating, constipation, and irritable bowel syndrome.

How Much Magnesium Do Women Need?

Magnesium intake depends on your age, phase, and health condition. You may ask, 'How much Magnesium for women is required daily? Or 'What is the recommended daily magnesium for women?'

As outlined by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for Magnesium in women is:

1. Teenage girls between ages 14-18: 360 mg
2. Adult Women between ages 19–30 years: 310 mg
3. Adult Women 31 years and older: 310- 320 mg
4. Pregnant Women: 350–360 mg
5. Breastfeeding Women: 310–320 mg

Women who experience a higher level of stress, severe physical activities, and health conditions like digestive issues, Osteoporosis, and diabetes will require higher doses of Magnesium to maintain maximal health.

For example, athletic women lose Magnesium when they sweat. This loss would require higher magnesium levels to support the muscles and the continuous energy supply.

While conducting our research, we discovered an insightful YouTube Video by Dr. Janine, who shares how to choose the best magnesium supplement for your specific needs.

What Are The Best Magnesium Supplements for Women?

Magnesium supplements are a great way to increase your magnesium levels. Ready to begin taking supplements? But first, we need to know,What are the magnesium supplements for women?

Or what is the best Magnesium for women? Magnesium supplements come in different forms and have various health benefits and absorption rates.

Choosing the right magnesium supplement depends on your reason for buying one. For example, magnesium supplements are different for easing muscle cramps, providing a better quality of sleep, improving digestion, and strengthening heart health. Here are different magnesium supplements and their benefits:

1. Magnesium Glycinate

Absorption rate: High

Best for: improving sleep, relaxing the muscles, and regulating PMS symptoms, and anxiety.

• Magnesium Glycinate is attached to glycine, an essential amino acid with a calming effect. It is easily absorbed and reacts gently with the stomach. It is one of the best magnesium supplements for women who have problems sleeping well, having menstrual cramps, or dealing with stress. Also, the chances of causing digestive issues like diarrhea are low.

2. Magnesium Citrate

Absorption rate: High

Best for: digestion, constipation, and muscle cramps.

• Magnesium Citrate is a good magnesium for women. It is one of the most bioavailable magnesium supplements. This is because it is attached to citric acid. Magnesium citrate is commonly used as a natural laxative to reduce constipation and ease digestion. This type of magnesium supplement also helps the muscle function maximally by reducing leg cramps. However, the magnesium citrate may show some laxative results. Hence, It is advisable to begin taking it in small portions.

3. Magnesium Oxide

Absorption rate: Low

Best for: irregular constipation, indigestion, and acid reflux.

• Magnesium oxide is high in magnesium levels but is poorly absorbed by the body. This type of magnesium supplement is mainly used to cure heartburn and acid reflux rather than as a strategy to increase Magnesium. Magnesium oxide can also be used to treat constipation.

4. Magnesium L-Threonate

Absorption rate: moderate to high

Best for: brain health, focus, memory, aging women.

• Magnesium L-threonate is a newer magnesium supplement designed to support long-term brain health. It strengthens memory and cognitive function, one of the fantastic benefits of Magnesium for women seeking supplements to support their mental abilities as they age.

5. Magnesium Malate

Absorption rate: High

Best for: muscle cramps, fatigue, and fibromyalgia.

• Magnesium malate is attached to magic acid, a vital element in energy production. This type of magnesium supplement is best for women who battle muscle pain, chronic fatigue, and fibromyalgia. Compared to magnesium citrate, magnesium malate has a milder laxative effect on the body.

6. Magnesium Chloride

Absorption rate: Moderate

Best for: muscle pain, skin health, and relaxation.

• Magnesium chloride is primarily used in topical applications like oil, bath salts, and sprays. This form of magnesium supplement is absorbed through the skin. It effectively treats muscle cramps, body relaxation, and overall magnesium supply. This magnesium supplement provides one of the benefits of magnesium for women who consider taking oral supplements difficult.

7. Magnesium Sulfate

Adoption rate: moderate when used for bathing

Best for: relieving of stress, relaxation, detoxification.

• Magnesium sulfate, also known as Epsom salt, is used during bathing to aid muscle relaxation and relieve stress. It is also effective in soothing sore and painful joints and muscles. However, due to its strong laxative properties, this magnesium supplement is not readily taken orally.

8. Magnesium Taurate

Absorption rate: High

Best for: regulating blood pressure, and heart health

• Magnesium taurate is attached to taurine, an amino acid that strengthens the heart's functionality. This magnesium supplement is ideal for women who want to reduce the chances of developing cardiovascular disease, regulate their blood pressure, and strengthen the overall health of their heart.

Food Sources of Magnesium for Women

Eating magnesium-rich foods is the best way to increase your magnesium levels. Here are some good sources of Magnesium:

1. Spinach
2. Cashew
3. Almond
4. Brown rice
5. Oat
6. Lentils
7. Yogurt
8. Salmon
9. Milk
10. Mackerel
11. Banana
12. Avocado

Signs and Symptoms of Magnesium Deficiency in Women

Magnesium deficiency, also called hypomagnesemia, is commonly overlooked. However, this deficiency considerably affects the health of women. Women who consistently experience digestive disorders with chronic stress or constantly consume processed foods are at a higher chance of being deficient.

When your body lacks the necessary supply of Magnesium, you may begin to experience some of these signs:

1. Muscle cramps, especially in the legs
2. Consistently tiredness and body weakness
3. Anxiety and irregular mood swings
4. Poor quality or lack of sleep
5. Migraines and headaches
6. Higher chances of developing Osteoporosis

If you notice these persistent signs, it is best to talk to your Doctor.