10/15/2019 / By Grace Olson
Magnesium is called “nature’s relaxation mineral” because of its crucial role in helping the body relax. This makes the mineral more important these days, when people are constantly under stress and feeling anxious. The latter, in particular, has been linked to certain mental disorders, including depression and GAD (general anxiety disorder). Because of magnesium’s relaxing properties, it has been linked to helping reduce anxiety.
A person who is stressed often experiences feelings of anxiety. Common symptoms of anxiety include an increased heart rate, rapid breathing, lethargy, and digestive or gastrointestinal problems.
Magnesium helps address these symptoms in two ways:
1. Magnesium inhibits the NMDA receptors.
NMDA receptors, which is short for N-methyl-D-aspartate, are crucial to the central nervous system. They regulate the flow of information from one neuron to another. Magnesium helps manage these NMDA receptors, thus resulting in a better flow of thoughts and ideas.
2. Magnesium binds with GABA receptors.
Magnesium also helps in activating the parasympathetic nervous system – the system in charge of helping the body relax. Magnesium binds with gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors. The GABA receptors are the neurotransmitters responsible for calming nerve activity.
Both of these qualities of magnesium help reduce the symptoms of anxiety.
Magnesium helps in over 300 biochemical reactions within the human body, beyond helping it relax. Here are just some of its benefits.
Magnesium is found in a wide array of foods, which can easily be added to a person’s meal. It is found in all kinds of fruits, vegetables, and seeds. Here are some of the foods rich in magnesium:
Read more about other nutrients vital to your health at Nutrients.news.
Sources include:
Superfoods-Scientific-Research.com
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