Magnesium is a rarely considered mineral that plays many roles in the body—over 600 functions at the cellular level. While it is a small nutrient, a deficiency has significant implications," says Trista Best, RD, a registered dietitian at Balance One Supplements.

It’s found in foods such as vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and beans. You may become deficient in magnesium if you do not consume enough of these foods regularly or if you have certain health conditions or dietary restrictions. Rajizadeh A, et al. (2016). Effect of magnesium supplementation on depression status in depressed patients with magnesium deficiency: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.Unlike many other supplements, this one can be taken on an empty stomach. As a result, you can easily take it just before bed and it may help keep nighttime cramps at bay. It’s important to note that people with kidney issues are at a higher risk of experiencing adverse effects related to magnesium supplements ( 25).

Though more research is needed, magnesium supplements seem to be effective at helping to stabilize blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes ( 16). May reduce heart disease risk However, other factors — such as your genes and whether you have a deficiency — may also influence absorption ( 2).Supakatisant C, et al. (2012). Oral magnesium for relief in pregnancy‐induced leg cramps: A randomised controlled trial. One older study of 2,570 women associated higher magnesium intake with increased muscle mass and power ( 7). Magnesium is an essential mineral and a vital alkaline-forming element. Also, it is the fourth most abundant mineral in the human body which says something about its importance. Magnesium is present in all our cells, with 98% of the mineral being inside the actual cell and only two percent outside the cell. An adult contains approximately 24 grams of magnesium. About 25% is found in muscle tissue and about 60% is in our bones together with other minerals like calcium and phosphorus. Magnesium is essential for many aspects of health. The recommended daily intake is 400–420 mg for males and 310–320 mg for females ( 36). Some drugs may have Authority Required (Streamlined) status which does not require an explicit approval from Medicare, instead the doctor can use the Authority code found in the published Schedule for a given drug/indication.