The Super Nutrient You Need

Magnesium keeps you strong and energised, yet most active women aren’t getting enough. Here are the best ways to increase your intake of this powerful muscle builder.

- Mirel Ketchiff

Long overlooked while calcium soaked up the spotlight, magnesium is finally getting some much-deserved attention from experts. Recent studies show that it helps boost muscle power, endurance, and sleep, all while reducing anxiety and even your cancer risk.

But most of us are coming up short on this power mineral. “Roughly 75 per cent of women don’t get enough,” says Liz Applegate, the director of sports nutrition at the University of California. “If you’re eating less than 1,800 calories a day, avoiding grains, or not loading up on leafy greens, there’s a good chance you’re one of them.” Surprisingly, exercise creates even more of a deficiency. “You lose magnesium through sweat, and if you work out regularly, those losses can add up,” Liz explains.