To ensure optimal absorption by the body, magnesium needs to be bound to specific carriers, a principle applicable to all minerals. Magnesium citrate pairs magnesium with citric acid, magnesium glycinate (or bisglycinate) with the amino acid glycine, magnesium malate with malic acid, and magnesium oxide is a salt combining magnesium and oxygen. This diversity leads to the belief that certain magnesium forms are more effective for specific health conditions. For instance, magnesium malate, with its malic acid content, is often considered beneficial for energy, making it a preferred choice for those with chronic fatigue syndrome. Similarly, magnesium bisglycinate, bound to glycine, is favored for sleep and relaxation due to glycine's positive impact observed in sleep studies. While the association between magnesium forms and health conditions holds merit, it's crucial to recognize that different magnesium types are absorbed at varying rates. Optimal benefits can only be achieved when the body efficiently absorbs magnesium.

Because only 1% of your body's magnesium is present in your blood, relying solely on blood tests may not provide an accurate reflection of your overall magnesium levels. If a blood test indicates low magnesium, it could imply a dangerously low level. We advocate assessing your magnesium needs based on your symptoms. Magnesium expert Dr. Carolyn Dean, MD suggests that over 80% of the population may be deficient in magnesium. If you're concerned about your magnesium levels and prefer confirmation through testing, consider consulting with your naturopathic doctor or holistic nutritionist for a hair analysis, which can offer insights into the mineral levels in your body.

Adding Epsom salts to your bath allows your skin to absorb magnesium. However, since most of us don't take baths long enough for significant absorption, this method may only slightly raise magnesium levels. We suggest considering Epsom salts as a supplement to your magnesium intake rather than relying on them as the primary source.

While it's possible to obtain sufficient magnesium from food, intentional efforts are required to meet your needs. Over the past few decades, the magnesium content in our soil has diminished, and prepackaged or fast foods often lack significant amounts of magnesium. Additionally, the water-soluble nature of magnesium poses a challenge – when cooking magnesium-rich foods, the magnesium content is often lost with the water. Opting for raw foods can be a better strategy, but it becomes intricate due to a common complication: many magnesium-rich foods also have high oxalate levels. Oxalate, which is excreted from the body, binds to magnesium, carrying away the magnesium molecules (for further details, refer to our article "Magnesium Deficiency and the Role of Oxalates"). As magnesium plays a crucial role in about 80% of enzymatic functions in the body, if you suspect your diet may lack sufficient magnesium, we recommend monitoring your food intake to ensure adequate magnesium levels.

The response depends on the specific medication you're taking. If you're on prescribed medications, it's important to consult with your pharmacist to determine which supplements are safe to take alongside your current prescriptions.

Certainly! It's perfectly safe to consume various forms of magnesium. In fact, since everyone's magnesium needs differ, it can be advantageous to incorporate multiple forms to ensure you're meeting your requirements. Many of our customers opt for MAG365, our ionic magnesium citrate powder, in the morning or post-workout, even adding it to their water bottle for a consistent magnesium supply throughout the day. Before bedtime, they complement this routine by taking a few capsules of PrizMag, our pure magnesium bisglycinate, promoting a restful night's sleep. To maximize absorption and utilization, we recommend dividing your magnesium supplement doses throughout the day.

Magnesium plays a crucial role in regulating blood pressure. A recent study found that magnesium supplementation can lower blood pressure by promoting the relaxation of blood vessels and preventing constriction, thereby enhancing overall blood flow. Additionally, studies suggest magnesium supplementation may be effective in reducing high blood pressure among individuals dealing with insulin resistance, prediabetes, and other chronic conditions commonly associated with cardiovascular disease.

Please read our article “Which Form of Magnesium is Best?”.

Absolutely. Magnesium is a naturally occurring mineral present in food, and it is deemed safe for pregnancy. For additional details, please refer to our FAQ titled "Is MAG365 safe for pregnancy?" under the MAG365 FAQ page.

Magnesium absorption primarily occurs in the small intestine through a protein binding transport system and passive diffusion via the bulk flow of water. The overall state of health and dietary factors influence magnesium absorption. It's crucial to recognize that the presence of oxalates in certain foods can impact the absorption of dietary magnesium (refer to "Magnesium Deficiency and the Role of Oxalates" for more information). The absorption rate of magnesium from supplements varies, with forms that dissolve well in liquid, like magnesium citrate, being more absorbable than others. Magnesium deficiency may result from reduced magnesium absorption in the gut or increased magnesium excretion through urine. As age advances, the ability to absorb magnesium in the intestines tends to decrease, while urinary output of magnesium tends to increase. This underscores the effectiveness of ionic magnesium citrate, which boasts a 30-40% higher absorbability rate than any other form of magnesium.

The most prevalent symptoms of magnesium deficiency can include: Low energy, sleep problems, weakened bones, kidney stones, emotional disruption, heightened sensitivity, muscle pains and cramps, disruption of normal heart rhythms. For additional details, please refer to our article "Magnesium: Are You Getting Enough?"

Magnesium deficiency is prevalent for several reasons. Firstly, modern farming methods have led to a reduction in magnesium levels in our soil, resulting in a diminished magnesium content in our overall food supply. The widespread consumption of processed foods in the Western diet exacerbates the issue, as most magnesium is lost during food manufacturing. Moreover, magnesium plays a crucial role in over 80% of the body's functions, contributing to its high "burn rate." Various factors such as stress, exercise, extreme temperatures, prescription medications, alcohol consumption, trauma, and poor diet further accelerate the depletion of magnesium stores in the body. Each of these elements contributes to the rapid utilization of magnesium, leading to an increased risk of deficiency.

Magnesium oxide boasts the highest elemental magnesium content per weight, but its absorption is poor, with some studies indicating an absorption rate of only 4%, largely due to its insolubility in water. Forms of magnesium known to potentially cause diarrhea include magnesium carbonate, chloride, gluconate, and oxide. Magnesium citrate, a salt form of magnesium combined with citric acid, exhibits a notably high absorption rate and good solubility in water, making it easily mixable with liquids. Some research suggests that magnesium citrate, especially in ionic formulas like our MAG365, is among the most bioavailable forms, facilitating efficient absorption in the digestive tract. In contrast, non-ionic formulas have lower absorbability (refer to our article "Understanding Ionic"). Magnesium glycinate, or bisglycinate, demonstrates a very high absorption rate with a milder laxative effect compared to other forms. Its absorption in a different area of the intestine minimizes potential GI discomfort and enhances effectiveness. Formed from elemental magnesium and the amino acid glycine, magnesium glycinate is easily absorbed and is known for its calming properties. It may help alleviate anxiety, depression, stress, and insomnia. While promising, scientific evidence on magnesium glycinate's efficacy for these conditions is limited, necessitating further studies. For more comprehensive details, please refer to our article "Which Form of Magnesium is Best?"

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Magnesium helps to calm the muscles and nerves, but it does not make you drowsy.  Many people prefer to take it before bed, because the calming effect helps them to sleep more soundly. However, magnesium is also needed to make ATP, which is used by every cell in the body for energy, so it is fine to take at any time of day.  In fact, we recommend dividing your dose throughout the day, with an additional dose at night.

According to traditional scientific literature, magnesium is involved in over 300 enzymatic reactions in the body. More recent research shows it plays a role in more than 600 biochemical processes, including energy production, muscle contraction, nerve function, and DNA synthesis. Some experts, like Dr. Carolyn Dean, estimate magnesium is involved in up to 1,000 functions when you factor in its broader impact on hormones, inflammation, and cellular signaling. The exact number depends on how broadly you define its influence—but it’s clear that magnesium is essential for hundreds of critical body functions.