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According to the NHS, it helps to turn the food we eat into energy, and ensures that parathyroid glands - which produce hormones essential for bone health - work normally.

The mineral is also important for maintaining heart health and blood sugar control.

Its present in many foods, such as green leafy vegetables, nuts, brown rice, fish, wholegrain bread, meat, dairy, peanut butter and soy milk.

However, many people dont consume enough through dietary sources.

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According to the NHS, the amount of magnesium you need a day if youre between 19 and 64 years includes 300mg for men and 270mg for women.

For example, its estimated that 80 per cent of Americans are deficient.

Signs of this include inability to sleep, sensitivity to noise, anxiety, muscle soreness and infertility.

It means that many people need to rely on magnesium supplements to top up adequately.

According to the NHS, the amount of magnesium you need a day if youre between 19 and 64 years includes 300mg for men and 270mg for women.

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A-Z of vitamins and minerals

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This is less than in the US where the National Institutes of Healths Office of Dietary Supplements recommend 400 to 420mg for men and 310 to 320mg for women.

Sometimes doctors may prescribe more to pregnant women or others with a particular condition.

However, just like vitamin C, it is possible to consume too much.

The NHS state: Taking high doses of magnesium - more than 400mg - for a short time can cause diarrhoea.

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If you take magnesium supplements, don't take too much as this could be harmful.

The Office for Dietary Supplements highlights another health issue too much magnesium can cause.

Technically known as hypermagnesemia, it occurs when theres too much magnesium in the blood.

Its rare because the kidneys usually work to get rid of excess magnesium, however people with kidney disease, heart disease and gastrointestinal disorders are at a higher risk.

It can cause nausea and vomiting, lethargy, muscle weakness, irregular heartbeat, low blood pressure, urine retention, respiratory distress and cardiac arrest, according to the Office for Dietary Supplements.

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Magnesium warning: Too much of the supplement could trigger cardiac arrest - Express.co.uk