Magnesium

Please note the following referenced scientific research is for informational use only. The results reported below may not necessarily occur in all our customers. The information should not replace advice from your health care practitioner. This information should not be read to recommend or endorse any specific product.

Magnesium is an essential mineral and critical cofactor for over 300 biochemical processes in the body. It is necessary for every major biological process including energy production, muscle contraction, cardiovascular function and nervous system health. Magnesium deficiency is becoming more common as a result of food processing, dietary insufficiency and lifestyle factors. Energy metabolism, muscle contraction and relaxation, normal neurological function and neurotransmitter release are all dependent on magnesium (Jahnen-Dechent & Ketteler 2012).

Energy Levels

  • On a cellular level, magnesium acts as a cofactor for enzymes that are a part of energy production. Magnesium is involved in the energy carrying molecule ATP and assists with breaking down glucose for energy and contributes to energy producing cycles (Jahnen-Dechent & Ketteler 2012).

  • The metabolism of dietary carbohydrates and fats to produce energy requires magnesium-dependent reactions (Linus Pauling Institute 2019).

Muscle Support

  • Reduced intake and increased losses of magnesium lead to muscle weakness and spasms, cramps, numbness and tingling (Braun & Cohen 2015, 679). 

  • Magnesium is essential for muscle relaxation and contraction as it plays a role in ion transport across cell membranes (Linus Pauling Institute 2019).

  • Research suggests that magnesium may be effective in treating leg muscle cramps (Roffe et al. 2002).

Nervous System

  • Increased feelings of anxiety are linked with a magnesium deficiency, research suggests that magnesium modulates the HPA Axis our central stress response system (Sartori et al. 2012).  

  • Stress increases the body’s need for magnesium. Hormones released in response to stress can lead to a decrease in magnesium (Braun & Cohen 2015, 679). 

  • Magnesium is involved in the control of several central nervous system processes, depletion can lead to neurological symptoms or disease (Grober et al. 2015).

Cardiovascular System

  • Evidence supports an adequate intake of magnesium has a protective effect against the development of cardiovascular disease. Magnesium exerts a cardioprotective role (Braun & Cohen 2015, 682), (DiNicolantonio et al, 2018).  

  • In the heart, magnesium induces vascular smooth-muscle cell relaxation through its action as a calcium channel blocker (Braun & Cohen 2015, 682). 

  • Epidemiological evidence links magnesium deficiency to a range of cardiovascular diseases (Braun & Cohen 2015, 682).

References

  • Braun, L., and Cohen,Marc. 2015. Herbs & Natural Supplements An Evidence-based guide Volume 2. 4th ed. Australia: Elsevier.

  • Walker, AF., Marakis, G., Christie, S. Byng. 2003. “Mg citrate found more bioavailable than other Mg preparations in randomised, double-blind study.” Magnesium Research. 16. 3: 183-91. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14596323 

  • Jahnen-Dechent, W., Ketteler, M. 2012. “Magnesium Basics”. Clinical Kidney Journal 5, 1 (Feb): 3-14. https://dx.doi.org/10.1093%2Fndtplus%2Fsfr163 

  • Linus Pauling Institute - Micronutrient Information. 2019. Magnesium. https://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/minerals/magnesium 

  • Roffe, C., Sills, S., Crome, P., Jones, P. 2002. “Randomised, cross-over, placebo-controlled trial of magnesium citrate in the treatment of chronic persistent leg cramps’. Medical Science Monitor: International medical journal of experimental and clinical research 8, 5 (May): 326-30. 

  • Sartori, SB., Whittle, N., Hetzenauer, A., Singewald, N. 2012. “Magnesium deficiency induces anxiety and HPA axis dysregulation: modulation by therapeutic drug treatment.” Neuropharmacology. 62, 1 (Jan): 304-12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuropharm.2011.07.027

  • Grober, U., Schmidt, J., Kisters, K. 2015. “Magnesium in Prevention and Therapy.” Nutrients 7, 9 (Sep): 8199-8226. https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/7/9/5388

  • DiNicolantonio, JJ., Liu, J., O’Keefe, JH. 2018. “Magnesium for the prevention and treatement of cardiovascular disease.” Open Heart, 5. 2. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/openhrt-2018-000775