Magnesium: The mineral everyone's talking about (and why I wasn’t convinced… until this)

Everywhere you look, someone’s recommending magnesium for sleep, stress, cramps, hormones, anxiety, energy, mood, blood sugar… AND NOW I WILL TOO.

At first? I’ll be honest,  I didn’t get the hype when I first started out in clinical practice. I was like WHY does everyone need magnesium supplements? They can’t be that SPECIAL... 

But then I started seeing it in clinic. Client after client, symptom after symptom and when we tested, we found magnesium depletion.

The kicker? It was almost always linked to stress, whether they knew it or not.

That’s when it clicked:

If your body has symptoms… It’s under stress. And stress burns through magnesium like crazy (not to mention any other lifestyle reasons for being STRESSED). I have clients complete a stress beaker when they first start working with me, so we can uncover their layers of stress.

What magnesium actually does

Magnesium is involved in over 300 enzyme reactions in your body. Think of it like a calm conductor behind the scenes, keeping everything humming along.

It supports:

• Nervous system regulation (aka less anxiety, more chill)

• Muscle relaxation (bye cramps and tight shoulders)

• Sleep quality

• Energy production (cellular ATP – the body’s fuel)

• Blood sugar balance

• Hormone support (especially around PMS and perimenopause)

• Bowel regularity

• Heart rhythm and blood pressure

• And so much more.

It’s one of those nutrients where if you’re low, you feel it even if you don’t realise that’s what’s missing.

Why so many people are deficient

This is where it gets personal.

Almost every client I see is low in magnesium, even if they eat “healthy.”

Here’s why:

• Stress (emotional, physical, environmental) drains magnesium fast

• Soil depletion in NZ and Australia means our foods don’t contain as much as it used to. So, where are we getting our daily requirements of magnesium from if we can’t get it in our food and we do a really good job at DRAINING it daily? 

• Poor digestion or gut health = reduced absorption

• Caffeine, sugar, alcohol and medications (like the pill or PPIs) all interfere with magnesium levels

• Aging and pregnancy increase our needs

  
  

And if you’re sweating lots (hello, exercise or sauna lovers), you’re losing even more (and let’s be honest, I love my sauna, so I deplete my levels regularly with just this simple lifestyle hack). Remember while I love saunas and they are brilliant for our liver health, this is where health trips people up. While one thing can be good for us, it can also cause depletion of something else in our bodies; that’s why people really struggle with getting their bodies healthy at home, on their own, with no clinical support. You are not alone. Don’t beat yourself up about this; lots of clients say this before working with me.

Common signs of magnesium deficiency

Here’s where it gets juicy. These aren’t random; they’re your body whispering for support:

• Muscle cramps or twitching

• Eye twitches

• Insomnia or trouble staying asleep

• Anxiety, irritability, or overwhelm

• PMS or menstrual migraines. Really bad period cramping.

• Constipation

• Restless legs

• Low energy

• Sugar cravings

• Tension headaches

  
  

If you're nodding along to half this list? You’re not alone.

Test, don’t guess

This is where I bring out Dr Anna’s pH test strips, included in all my 10-day programs (head over to shelleygawith.com to find out more).

They help clients see their internal stress load and acidity in real time. It’s one of my favourite tools to get curious without guessing.

It’s not about waiting for a DISEASE and then asking “How did this happen to me".  It’s about tuning into your body’s signals early.

Food sources of magnesium

Let’s talk food. While it’s hard to meet your needs through diet alone these days, these foods help:

• Pumpkin seeds

• Dark leafy greens (like spinach, silverbeet, kale)

• Almonds, cashews

• Avocado

• Dark chocolate (yes, really!)

• Buckwheat, quinoa

• Black beans and legumes

  
  

But if you’re depleted, food alone usually isn’t enough, especially if you’re under stress. That’s where targeted magnesium supplementation makes a big difference.

Final word from Shelley

I used to question why magnesium was prescribed for everyone, everywhere.

Now? I see it as one of the most foundational nutrients for modern health.

If your body is showing symptoms, it’s giving you feedback.

Don’t ignore the whispers before they turn into shouts.

Your nervous system, your hormones, and your sleep all run better when magnesium is topped up.

So let’s stop guessing, start testing, and get your body what it needs to feel calm, energised, and resilient.

Looking for options to help you achieve better magnesium levels? Check out what Bio Precision Nutrients has to offer.