Magnesium 101: Mother Nature's Muscle Relaxant

With our compromised soil and the over-processing of modern-day food, research suggests that there's been a 30-90 percent reduction in magnesium intake over the past few decades.

And, up to 60 percent of women are not getting enough magnesium on a daily basis.

Why is magnesium so important?

According to Registered Dietitian, Ashley Koff, magnesium is like Mother Nature's muscle relaxant.

Remember, you have many different types of "muscles" in your body... your heart is a muscle just as your bicep, and your entire digestive system works as a muscle to "move things through."

Certain minerals, especially calcium, work in opposition of magnesium. Think of your digestive system. If you're combating your magnesium intake with calcium intake and it's out of balance, you may experience constipation. On the other hand, when that balance is corrected, you will feel the ease of healthy digestion.

Koff says that magnesium in tablet or capsule form is not as effective, because your body needs to break it down first before it can be useful. She prefers either powder or liquid form.

If you're looking to get some magnesium in food form, good news.... cacao (chocolate) is extremely rich in magnesium.

Listen in as Koff joins hosts Andrea and Lisa to share more about the benefits of magnesium, as well as why it's so important for optimal health.