After oxygen, water and basic food, magnesium may be the most important element your body needs. Magnesium activates over 350 different bodily processes, including digestion, energy production, muscle function, bone formation, creation of new cells, activation of B vitamins, relaxation of muscles, as well as assisting in the functions of the heart, kidneys, adrenals, brain and nervous system. Lack of sufficient available magnesium in the body can interfere with any or all of these processes.

Magnesium depletion can be caused by such things as mental stress, caffeine, sugar, alcohol, tobacco, drugs of all types, high perspiration, low thyroid function, diabetes, chronic pain, diuretics, and a high carbohydrate, high-sodium or high-calcium diet.

Ninety to ninety-five percent of the population are below healthy magnesium levels, including many who already use magnesium. Why? First, the amount of magnesium required by the body is greater than people think. Second, most magnesium capsules and tablets are not completely absorbed by the body.

Natural Calm to the rescue!

Calcium needs magnesium in order to assimilate into the body. However, when too much calcium is consumed, it will actually pull magnesium out of body parts. So calcium can actually rob the body of magnesium. Drinking pasteurized milk (which is about 10 parts calcium to 1 part magnesium), for example, will deplete the body's magnesium.

Magnesium is vital for the maintenance of adequate energy reserves. When insufficient magnesium is available, cellular energy production is inhibited, and the eventual outcome is fatigue and weakness.

Magnesium is also essential for regulating potassium levels and the functioning of the adrenal glands-both important for maintaining high energy levels.

Without sufficient magnesium the nerve cells cannot give or receive messages and become excitable and reactive. Feeling nervous, irritable and unable to relax are signs of needing magnesium

Inability to sleep, muscle soreness, tension, and feeling uncomfortable upon rising are caused by a lack of minerals-particularly magnesium. All these conditions are greatly helped by taking magnesium

Muscle spasms, cramps, jerks, tics, and hiccups are all caused by a lack of magnesium.

PMS and hormonal imbalances are greatly exaggerated and worsened by a low magnesium level. Too much calcium will worsen PMS considerably because it throws off the mineral balance.

Magnesium is crucial to increasing bone mass, as it is magnesium which allows calcium to assimilate. One should accompany their calcium with the magnesium necessary for its absorption.