Magnesium: The Mighty Mineral with Multifaceted Benefits

The human body requires a steady and adequate supply of essential nutrients in order to maintain balance—or homeostasis—to continue operating as a finely tuned machine. Of these required nutrients, vitamins and minerals are foundational. They are the sparkplugs that make our metabolic engines run, working as cofactors for enzymes and participating in the process of energy production. One mineral, magnesium, holds a special place within the group of absolutely essential nutrients. As an indispensable mineral that acts as a cofactor for hundreds of enzymes in the body, magnesium is required by every cell in the body. Unfortunately, it’s also a mineral that many of us don’t get enough of. Studies indicate that nearly 50% of the U.S. population consumes an inadequate amount of magnesium from the diet, not meeting the estimated average requirement (EAR) for this mineral.1 For adults over the age of 30, the EAR for magnesium is 350 mg/day for men and 265 mg/day for women, while the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) is 420 mg/day for men and 320 mg/day for women.