Magnesium is a major component of over 300 enzyme reactions in the body. Diet alone does not provide enough magnesium. Deficiencies in magnesium negatively affect mental and physical health. This magnesium form is highly bioavailable. Magnesium glycinate enhances cognition, improves mood, and promotes restful sleep.
Magnesium deficiency epidemic
Food magnesium content has declined significantly over the past 100 years due to changes in agricultural practices and soil depletion. Moreover, most people are exposed to high levels of stress regularly, which depletes magnesium. Sweating also depletes magnesium, so athletes and those living in hot climates are more prone to deficiency. In addition to medications and medical conditions, aging can affect magnesium levels. On average, people consume less than 50% of their recommended daily intake from diet alone. Because magnesium is involved in so many critical bodily functions, this sets the stage for a cascade of negative effects. Magnesium plays a profound role in improving health and quality of life.
Benefits of Magnesium
The form of magnesium matters when it comes to absorption and tolerance. Magnesium glycinate is a highly bioavailable chelated form, meaning it is bound to glycine for better absorption. It has also proven to be gentle on the digestive system.
- Magnesium helps activate parasympathetic nervous system activity, signaling the body it is time to relax. It also regulates levels of GABA and melatonin, neurotransmitters that promote sleep.
- Through similar mechanisms, magnesium glycinate is excellent for stress relief. By activating the relaxation response, it eases both mental and physical tension. It also benefits the nervous system over the long term by preventing chronic over-activation.
- Magnesium modulates NMDA receptors involved in mood regulation. Insufficient magnesium allows these receptors to become overactive, contributing to symptoms of anxiety and depression. Correcting insufficiency improves low mood and calms anxiety.
- The brain uses a great deal of energy, so it requires ample magnesium for optimal function. Magnesium glycinate supplementation appears to improve measures of memory, processing speed, and attention span. Thus, it is a worthwhile addition for students, professionals, or anyone wanting a mental edge.
- The best magnesium to take is crucial to producing and utilizing cellular energy. It activates ATP, the main energy molecule in the body. Low magnesium translates to low energy levels and accelerated fatigue. Boosting magnesium intake counters fatigue and helps increase physical stamina.
- Healthy magnesium levels are also essential for muscle contraction and relaxation. Without sufficient magnesium, muscles are more prone to cramping and injury. Athletes and those doing manual labor benefit greatly from extra magnesium for strength and endurance.
Given the widespread incidence of deficiency, magnesium glycinate supplementation holds great promise for improving health and well-being. Since magnesium is required for hundreds of biochemical reactions throughout the body and brain, it can have profound systemic effects once levels are optimized.
