#Healthwire: Magnesium deficiency

"Numerous studies have shown magnesium's effectiveness in boosting mood, lowering anxiety, and reducing stress levels as well as helping with deeper more restful sleep," says Carolyn Dean, MD, a general practitioner based in Kihei, Hawaii and a medical advisory board member with the Nutritional Magnesium Association. Most Americans aren't getting enough magnesium, so it could be one of the reasons why you can't sleep.  "Magnesium deficiency causes muscle tension, nerve irritability, adrenal surges, decreased production of serotonin, and muscle cramps. All of these symptoms and conditions interfere with sleep," she says, calling magnesium a safe and important treatment for insomnia. However, not all forms of magnesium are easily absorbed by the body. "Magnesium citrate powder is a highly absorbable form that can be mixed with hot or cold water and sipped at work or at home throughout the day," she says.