What is Magnesium: Understanding its Functions & Benefits

Every day, all day, our bodies are completing thousands of chemical processes–from helping us breathe to converting food into energy, or just moving our muscles. These reactions require lots of vitamins and minerals, and one mineral, magnesium, is crucial for over 300 of these processes to happen.

What is magnesium?

Magnesium is an essential mineral, which means your body can’t make it so you must get it from your diet. Magnesium is not only found in our bodies but it’s also found in the earth’s crust! The name Magnesium is derived from Magnesia, a district of Eastern Thessaly in Greece, where the mineral was first found.

What are the benefits of magnesium?

Because magnesium is involved in over 300 bodily processes, it helps many parts of your body! Magnesium supports nerve, heart, muscle, and bone health, and is also known for how it helps support muscle relaxation.*

How much magnesium do I need?

Even though magnesium is an essential mineral, many people do not consume enough. Over 50% of men and women do not consume the recommended amount of magnesium.

The US Daily Value for magnesium is 420mg of magnesium per day, but your individual needs for magnesium may be different. If you have any questions on how much magnesium you need or if you are getting enough, talk to your health care provider.

What foods contain magnesium?

Magnesium is found in a variety of foods but is mostly found in plant-based foods like vegetables, beans, nuts, and seeds. Some good sources of magnesium include:

Food	Serving Size	Amount of magnesium (mg)
Pumpkin seeds, roasted	1 ounce	156
Chia seeds	1 ounce	95
Brown rice	1 cup	86
Almonds, dry roasted	1 ounce	79
Spinach, boiled	1/2 cup	79
Baked potato	1	71
Dark chocolate	1.5-ounce bar	68
Black beans	1/2 cup	60
Soymilk	1 cup	51
Edamame	1/2 cup	50
Kidney beans	1/2 cup	45

What are the benefits of magnesium supplements?

Magnesium supplements can be a great way to help increase your magnesium intake every day so you can support your nerve, heart, muscle, and bone health.*

If you are looking for a delicious magnesium option, try vitafusion Magnesium gummy. With a fusion of natural tropical citrus flavor, it provides 165mg of magnesium in every 2-gummy serving. Rest assured that vitafusion gummies are made without gluten, high-fructose corn syrup, dairy, and synthetic FD&C dyes.

Taking magnesium – important for the earth and for you!

Magnesium is a special mineral that provides critical support for your nerves, bones, heart, and muscles.* From adding a variety of foods that are good sources of magnesium to a magnesium supplement, there are lots of tasty ways to add more of this nutrient to your day!

Brought to you by the vitafusion nutrition™ experts.