The Best Mineral for a Better Night’s Sleep

Fall asleep faster, stay asleep longer

Never underestimate the power of a good night’s sleep—or the dangers of not getting enough. 

Poor sleep can contribute to every major health problem you can think of… high blood pressure, diabetes, heart failure, stroke, increased risk of respiratory infections… you name it. 

I could talk about the reasons why this is the case… but today I want to focus on a solution. 

It’s a simple fix that’s been shown to make a dramatic difference in how much sleep you get—while boosting the quality of sleep as well. 

The only side effect?  

Waking up energized and ready for your day. 

You could call magnesium the renaissance man of minerals. 

It’s involved in more than 300 essential metabolic reactions in your body. It has a role in energy production, bone development, muscle contraction, and… as you already guessed… sleep. 

I don’t recommend all supplements that are touted for sleep, but magnesium is a sure thing. 

In one study, elderly people who took magnesium experienced improvements in the amount of time it took to fall asleep, how long they slept, and the quality of their sleep. 

They also experienced reductions in the stress hormone, cortisol.  

In another study, taking magnesium along with other nutrients boosted the quality of sleep, while helping people fall asleep faster and wake up feeling more energized.  

A different kind of study revealed that taking magnesium can increase slow-wave sleep. This is the deep sleep stage in which your memories are consolidated and your muscles are repaired. 

And because magnesium reduces the stress hormone cortisol and promotes muscle relaxation, you can see how it helps prepare your body for a restful night’s sleep. 

Here’s the thing…  

Your body doesn’t make its own magnesium, which means you have to obtain it through sources like food and supplements. 

Unfortunately, most people aren’t getting nearly enough. 

About 43 percent of US adults don’t get enough magnesium in their diets… adding up to 100 million people who are deficient in this critical mineral. 

There’s a good chance you’re one of them. 

But you can boost your magnesium levels—and boost the quality of your sleep in the process—by getting more magnesium in your diet from foods like dark leafy greens, whole grains, beans, and pumpkin seeds. 

For additional support, add in a quality magnesium supplement.