Magnesium is a naturally occurring mineral found in the Earth.

In nature, magnesium exists in the soil, rocks, and seawater. Plants absorb it from the soil as they grow, which is how it enters the food chain.

While magnesium is still found in food, the amount we’re actually getting today is not the same as it once was.

You’ll find magnesium in foods like leafy green vegetables, nuts, seeds, whole grains, and legumes.

In the body, magnesium is considered an essential mineral - meaning your body cannot produce it on its own, so it must come from your diet or other sources.

Once inside the body, magnesium plays a role in hundreds of biochemical reactions. It helps muscles contract and relax, supports nerve function, contributes to energy production, and is involved in maintaining a healthy stress response.

Magnesium is one of the most important minerals in the human body, but most people don’t get enough of it.

What does magnesium actually do?

Magnesium plays a role in things like:

• Supporting normal muscle function

• Helping regulate the nervous system

• Contributing to energy production

• Supporting sleep quality

• Helping the body manage stress

In simple terms: magnesium helps your body stay balanced.

When levels are low, things can start to feel “off”, even if you can’t quite pinpoint why.

Signs you might not be getting enough magnesium

Low magnesium levels don’t always show up in obvious ways, but common signs can include:

• Feeling tired even after sleeping

• Muscle tightness or cramps

• Feeling more stressed or “on edge” than usual

• Difficulty winding down at night

• Poor sleep quality

These symptoms are often dismissed as normal life stress, but they can sometimes be linked to low magnesium levels.

Why magnesium is harder to get today

In the past, it was easier to get enough magnesium from food alone. But today, a few factors make it more difficult:

• Soil depletion reduces magnesium in crops

• Highly processed diets contain less natural minerals

• High stress levels use up magnesium faster in the body

• Caffeine and alcohol can also deplete levels

This doesn’t mean it’s impossible to get enough, but it does mean many people fall short without realising it.

Different ways to get magnesium

Magnesium can be found in foods like leafy greens, nuts, seeds, and whole grains.
It’s also available in supplement form, including capsules and topical products.

Magnesium applied directly to the skin (topical magnesium), which is absorbed through the skin and used as part of daily routines, promoting relaxation, recovery, and sleep.