What does magnesium do for the body?

What does magnesium do for the body?

Magnesium is an essential mineral that plays a critical role in over 300 enzymatic reactions in the body, supporting a wide array of vital biological functions. Yet, studies show that many people fail to get sufficient magnesium from their diets.

One contributing factor is the depletion of magnesium in our soil due to modern agricultural practices. Research indicates that magnesium levels in wheat have dropped by nearly 20% over the past several decades. Additionally, processed drinking water in many areas has a reduced mineral content, further limiting magnesium intake.

Given these challenges, magnesium supplementation becomes increasingly important. Its benefits for the body are extensive—here are 10 scientifically-supported reasons to prioritize magnesium in your wellness routine:

  1. Supports a Healthy Heart Rhythm

Magnesium is essential for maintaining the electrical signals that regulate a steady heartbeat. Studies show it also promotes heart rate variability, a marker of cardiovascular resilience. Contrary to popular belief, a healthy heart exhibits subtle variations in rhythm, which magnesium helps support.

  1. Helps Maintain Blood Pressure

Magnesium aids in relaxing blood vessels, contributing to blood pressure regulation within normal, healthy ranges. A meta-analysis of 34 clinical trials, encompassing over 2,000 participants, demonstrated magnesium’s effectiveness in supporting healthy blood pressure levels.

  1. Boosts Brain Health

Magnesium enhances neuroplasticity, the brain's ability to form new connections critical for learning and memory. While most forms of magnesium have limited absorption in the brain, magnesium L-threonate, developed at MIT, is uniquely effective. Clinical trials show it improves cognitive performance by up to 20%.

  1. Reduces Occasional Head Discomfort

Magnesium supplementation has been shown to alleviate occasional head discomfort. For example, taking 500 mg twice daily for 8 weeks significantly reduced the frequency and duration of these discomforts in clinical studies.

  1. Strengthens Bones

Magnesium is often overlooked in discussions about bone health, despite the fact that it is a critical component of bone density and strength. Magnesium not only contributes directly to bone structure but also helps the body absorb and utilize calcium effectively.

  1. Supports Healthy Blood Sugar

Magnesium plays a vital role in glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity. A study with 40 participants found that 250 mg of magnesium daily helped maintain healthy hemoglobin A1C levels, an important measure of long-term blood sugar control.

  1. Protects Esophageal Health

Magnesium carbonate, along with other minerals, is frequently used to buffer stomach acid and protect sensitive esophageal tissues, promoting digestive comfort.

  1. Manages Stress Levels

Research shows that magnesium helps regulate the body’s stress response. For instance, when adrenaline levels spike during stress, magnesium concentrations in the bloodstream can drop. Supplementation helps restore balance, promoting calmness and resilience.

  1. Enhances Sleep Quality

Magnesium supports restful sleep by complementing natural sleep aids like melatonin. It also plays a role in regulating your circadian rhythm, helping you fall asleep and wake up at consistent times.

  1. Improves Mood

Magnesium influences neurotransmitters associated with mood, such as serotonin. In a randomized trial, individuals taking 500 mg of magnesium daily for six weeks reported a notable improvement in mood compared to those taking a placebo.

 

The Innerthera Solution

At Innerthera, we understand the importance of magnesium for optimal health. That’s why we offer BioMag, a science-backed magnesium supplement designed to support all the benefits mentioned above.

Ready to give your body the magnesium it needs?

Explore Innerthera’s BioMag magensium: https://www.innerthera.com/products/biomag

References

  • ELDerawi, Wafaa A et al. “The Effects of Oral Magnesium Supplementation on Glycemic Response among Type 2 Diabetes Patients.” Nutrients, December 2018, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30587761/
  • Guo, Wanli et al. “Magnesium deficiency in plants: An urgent problem.” The Crop Journal, 2016, https://core.ac.uk/reader/81931000
  • Karimi, Narges et al. The efficacy of magnesium oxide and sodium valproate in prevention of migraine headache: a randomized, controlled, double-blind, crossover study.” Acta Neurologica Belgica, February 2021, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30798472/
  • Liu, Guosong et al. “Efficacy and Safety of MMFS-01, a Synapse Density Enhancer, for Treating Cognitive Impairment in Older Adults: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.” J Alzheimers Dis., 2016, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26519439/
  • Matsuzaki, Hiroshi. [Prevention of osteoporosis by foods and dietary supplements. Magnesium and bone metabolism]. Clinical calcium, October 2006, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17012818/
  • Pickering, Gisèle et al. “Magnesium Status and Stress: The Vicious Circle Concept Revisited.” Nutrients, November 2020, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33260549/
  • Rondanelli, Mariangela et al. “The effect of melatonin, magnesium, and zinc on primary insomnia in long-term care facility residents in Italy: a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical tria.”l Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, January 2011, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21226679/
  • Wannamethee, Sasiwarang Goya et al. “Serum magnesium and risk of incident heart failure in older men: The British Regional Heart Study.” European Journal of Epidemiology, April 2018, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/labs/pmc/articles/PMC6133024/
  • Wienecke, Elmar et al. [Long-term HRV analysis shows stress reduction by magnesium intake]. MMW Fortschritte der Medizin, December 2016, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27933574/
  • Yu, Xin et al. “By suppressing the expression of anterior pharynx-defective-1α and -1β and inhibiting the aggregation of β-amyloid protein, magnesium ions inhibit the cognitive decline of amyloid precursor protein/presenilin 1 transgenic mice.” FASEB Journal, December 2015, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26293690/
  • Zhang, Xi et al. “Effects of Magnesium Supplementation on Blood Pressure: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trials.” Hypertension, August 2016, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27402922/
  • Tarleton, Emily K et al. Role of magnesium supplementation in the treatment of depression: A randomized clinical trial. PloS one vol. 12,6 e0180067. 27 Jun. 2017. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28654669/
  • Oregon State University. Vitamin D. https://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/vitamins/vitamin-D
  • Rosanoff, Andrea et al. Essential Nutrient Interactions: Does Low or Suboptimal Magnesium Status Interact with Vitamin D and/or Calcium Status? Advances in nutrition (Bethesda, Md.) vol. 7,1 25-43. 15 Jan. 2016, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26773013/w
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