Magnesium

There are many functions of magnesium that help the musculoskeletal system. Firstly, magnesium helps regulate calcium in order to maintain strong bones and teeth while helping excrete excess calcium to prevent calcification of organs or kidney stones. 

Another function is to regulate cardiac muscle, smooth muscle and skeletal muscle contractility. Magnesium can help block calcium from the heart muscle in order to help with heart disease, heart failure, and mitral valve prolapse.

It also relaxes skeletal muscle to relieve muscle cramping, restless legs and pain. It also relaxes the smooth muscle in bronchioles, arterioles, intestinal and uterine tissue to help with hypertension, constipation, asthma and dysmenorrheal dysfuction.

Some signs of magnesium deficiency include exhaustion, low energy, fatigue, weakness, confusion, nervousness, anxiety, poor digestion, PMS or hormonal imbalances, muscle tension or spasms and abnormal heart rhythm.

Some food sources of magnesium include almonds, buckwheat, pecans, walnuts, brown rice, swiss chard, spinach, quinoa, avocado and beans.