What Does Magnesium Do and Where Do I Find It?

Magnesium is a vital micronutrient that is required for over 300 different metabolic reactions in the body. It’s the 11th most abundant mineral in the body, and the average person contains around 25 grams of magnesium at any time, most of which is found in the bones.

Magnesium is needed for reactions involving energy production, glycolysis, nucleic acid production, and protein synthesis. It also plays a vital role in immune function, neuromuscular function, and bone health. Magnesium helps to regulate the balance of other minerals in the body, too, such as calcium and potassium.

It’s absorbed easily in the digestive tract and has an oral bioavailability of between 35 - 70%, depending on which form of magnesium you are consuming.

If you want to increase your magnesium intake, it’s important to include lots of magnesium-rich foods in your diet every day. Some delicious high magnesium foods include pumpkin seeds, green leafy vegetables, dairy products, berries, whole grains, and fortified cereals.