Magnesium Supplements

About Magnesium Supplements

Magnesium is one of the most popular nutritional supplements around the world, which makes sense given that it is an essential mineral required for more than 300 biochemical reactions in the human body. Magnesium is often underconsumed in developed nations due to high refined and processed food intakes, and other poor food choices. Low stomach acid, which occurs more commonly in older age, reduces the absorption of this important mineral.

Although frank magnesium deficiencies are not common in developed nations, magnesium insufficiency certainly is. This means, although enough of this mineral may be consumed to prevent severe deficiency signs and symptoms, most people do not consume enough to prevent chronic disease or to promote optimal health. This is why insufficiencies can be so prevalent and long-lasting.

Nutrients reported in 2017 on the association between magnesium status and subjective anxiety. A low magnesium level has been linked to an increased risk for psychological stress and anxiety, which may be due to it role in the synthesis of GABA in the brain. GABA is a natural inhibitory neurotransmitter, meaning that it slows neuronal firing and can ease stress and agitation. Magnesium is commonly prescribed for skeletal muscle cramps, spasms and twitches, as it antagonises calcium, easing unnecessary muscle contractions. Magnesium may also assist with cardiac muscle stability, for palpitations, tachycardia and arrhythmias. 

Another piece of research published in November 2017 by Current Pharmaceutical Design demonstrated that magnesium can reduce low-grade chronic inflammation by reducing plasma C-reactive protein levels. This makes the mineral useful for the prevention of a number of chronic diseases, such as type II diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Chronic inflammation is a major contributor to degenerative disease states, and can be checked by a hs-C Reactive Protein blood test.