What is magnesium?
Magnesium is a 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 cells, with 98% of the mineral being inside the actual 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 has several important roles in the body. It supports more than 300 different enzymatic processes. The following may help to elucidate magnesium’s importance. Magnesium contributes to:
- normal muscle function
- normal energy metabolism
- maintenance of normal bones and teeth
- normal psychological functions and electrolyte balance
- normal functioning of the nervous system
- a reduction of tiredness and fatique
- normal protein synthesis
- and has a role in the process of cell division
Increased focus on magnesium
Science has become increasingly interested in magnesium because of the mineral’s widespread influence on so many different body functions. At the same time, the need for extra magnesium is seen among coffee drinkers and elite athletes because excessive coffee consumption and heavy perspiration is known to deplete the body’s magnesium stores.