Feature Image by Maddi Bazzocco

Does quarantine have you feeling drained and depleted of energy? There may be a solution that doesn’t require stay-at-home orders being lifted; in fact, it all could come down to one simple mineral — magnesium.

Magnesium, which happens to be the fourth most abundant mineral in the human body, plays several roles in the health of your brain and body. You can get your daily dose of magnesium by eating foods rich in this magnificent mineral, such as dark leafy greens, nuts, seeds, fish, legumes, avocado, grains (especially millet, quinoa, and brown rice), fruit, and dark chocolate.

There is no need to take it in supplement form unless you are incredibly deficient, but as always, consult your doctor or physician with any questions about magnesium intake recommendations.

Ahead, we share seven benefits of magnesium that’ll inspire you to amp up your intake.

Helps the body function properly
Magnesium is involved in more than 600 reactions in your body including energy creation, protein formation, gene maintenance, muscle movements, and nerve system regulation.

Boosts exercise performance
Did you know that while working up a sweat, you might need up to 20% more magnesium than when your body is at rest? We all could use a boost when trying to pump out burpees.

Elevates mood
That’s right, this mineral plays a crucial role in not just brain function but also mood. If you’re deficient in magnesium, it can possibly lower your brain’s serotonin levels. Not only that, but a study in 2017 also found that magnesium helped people with mild depression.

Lowers blood pressure
High blood pressure, which is usually asymptomatic, is known as the “silent killer.” It can lead to a plethora of heart ailments. Magnesium greatly assists in lowering your blood pressure.

Decreases inflammation
For anyone suffering from inflammation, especially those with an auto-immune disease, magnesium could help because it fights inflammation.

Helps headaches
Having a headache is not enjoyable but migraine headaches aren’t just painful, they are debilitating when you factor in not-stop nausea, sensitivity to light, and vomiting. Magnesium can actually prevent and even help to treat them.

Manages that time of the month
Magnesium has been shown to improve PMS symptoms. See you later, abdominal cramps, tiredness, irritability, and water retention!

xx, The FabFitFun Team