In early October, the Israeli public experienced a significant upheaval, leading many to seek ways to reduce stress and relax. New research has identified a substantial increase in magnesium supplement consumption, particularly among young adults.
Magnesium is one of the body's essential minerals, involved in over 300 different processes, including energy production, bone health, muscle contraction (including the heart), and contributing to other functions such as protein synthesis, blood sugar control, blood pressure regulation, and nerve cell function.
Major reasons for magnesium deficiency include sweating, stress, a magnesium-poor diet - often due to processed food abundance, varying medications, medical conditions like Crohn's disease and renal disorders, and frequent alcohol consumption.
Magnesium deficiency manifests in symptoms such as headaches, loss of appetite, muscle cramps, weakness and fatigue, sleep disturbances, anxiety and irritability, and even high blood pressure. One of magnesium's key roles in the nervous system is moderating the response to stress.
Young adults are increasingly turning to supplements for relaxation. A study conducted by Altman Health among 503 participants representing a wide range of demographics in Israel examined magnesium consumption habits. According to the research, about 20% of the adult population in Israel regularly requires magnesium supplements, compared to only 12% last year. Interestingly, two-thirds of them - 65%, aged 55 and above, predominantly women, take magnesium to alleviate muscle pain and cramps during sleep.
However, the surprising finding from the study is that one-third of magnesium consumers, particularly from the relatively young age group of 18-39, cite relaxation and improved sleep as their primary reasons for taking magnesium.