Magnesium serves numerous functions in the body. Because it’s an electrolyte, it is partly responsible for carrying nerve signals. Magnesium is also essential for maintaining a proper cardiac rhythm, controlling mood and helping muscles function correctly. It’s crucial role in carrying nerve signals and in contracting muscles makes it a critically important mineral for maintaining erection quality, yet most people fail to get even the minimum recommended daily value (%DV). According to statistical data, between two-thirds and three-quarters of Americans are deficient in magnesium. Here are some of the main causes of deficiency and what can be done about them.

Poor Diet
People whose diets are high in processed foods are the most likely candidates for magnesium deficiency. Processed foods contain very little in the way of nutrients, save for a few synthetic ones added in. Meanwhile, many of these foods are very high in sugar, which requires magnesium to metabolize. Eating too much sugar can rapidly deplete your body of this mineral. A diet overly rich in animal products is also a risk factor. While meat, dairy and eggs are excellent sources of many important nutrients, they are lacking in magnesium. It’s best to eat a balanced diet that includes plenty of magnesium-rich foods like greens, nuts, seeds, legumes and fresh fruit. Mackerel, tuna, sardines, herring and shellfish are also great sources.

Over-consumption of Alcohol
Although a glass of wine per day may have some health benefits, like all things, it’s best in moderation. Heavy drinking is a major cause of several nutrient deficiencies, and magnesium is among them. Alcohol flushes large amounts of minerals out of the body, which is partly responsible for the effects of a hangover. If you do choose to indulge, it’s best to avoid hard liquor and sweetened mixed drinks, and to keep your consumption low.

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Nutrient Imbalance
Many people take supplements to help make up for nutritional gaps in their diet, but this can present a problem. Nutrients are absorbed through certain pathways in the body, and sometimes, several may use the same pathway. When these nutrients are taken with one another, they will compete for absorption. When taking supplements, one or more of those nutrients will be very poorly absorbed, which can lead to deficiency rather than prevent it. If you supplement with magnesium, avoid taking any iron, calcium or zinc supplements at the same time. Ideally, magnesium should be taken on an empty stomach before meals. It is best absorbed on its own and in the presence of sufficient stomach acid levels.

Unresolved Stress
Along with being one of the leading causes of ED, stress is also a cause of magnesium deficiency. Uncontrolled stress causes adrenaline levels to surge, which depletes magnesium from your body’s cells. If you suffer from chronic stress, it’s important to both supplement with magnesium and take steps to get your stress under control.

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Many studies have shown the importance of magnesium in treating ED and poor erection quality, so to avoid complications in the future, be sure to minimize the above activities so you too can maintain normal erection quality.

Many smart men choose to supplement it so they reach their daily value. If you do, you will want to take magnesium citrate as it is the easiest to digest and has the highest internal absorption rate compared to cheaper forms such as magnesium oxide.