One of the biggest misconceptions about magnesium is that that you just “need more” of it to help optimize your well-being.
But the TRUTH is, there are many different types of magnesium — and each plays an important role in different functions in your body.
Magnesium Orotate
While it also may be helpful for maintaining cardiovascular health, magnesium orotate may also support metabolic processes.*
This makes it a favorite for athletes seeking recovery, energy, and performance support.*
Getting ALL of these forms of magnesium, in the optimum dose, may support several functions in your body.*
Magnesium Chelate
This form of magnesium is especially important for muscle building, recovery, and health.*
Magnesium Citrate
This form of magnesium supports metabolic health (how well the body generates and processes energy). One study found that this form may improve blood vessel health in healthy overweight individuals.*
Magnesium Bisglycinate
This is the best form of magnesium for overall relaxation responses.
Magnesium Malate
Some believe this to be the most bioavailable form of magnesium. It’s found naturally in fruits, giving them their tart taste.
Sucrosomial® Magnesium
This form of magnesium is highly absorbed. It supports the immune system and bone health.
Magnesium Taurate
This is the form of magnesium that is best for your heart.
One study noted: “The complex magnesium taurate may thus have considerable potential as a vascular-protective nutritional supplement.”
Magnesium Breakthrough Benefits
Supports Vitamin D Activation and Metabolism
Both Vitamin D and magnesium have important roles in bone health, immune function, and metabolism. Magnesium is a cofactor in vitamin D conversion and activation.[25] Some people cannot increase their blood 25-hydroxy vitamin D levels despite supplementing with vitamin D3 because they are deficient in magnesium. In other words, magnesium deficiency can make vitamin D less effective.
Also, in people deficient in magnesium, high doses of vitamin D3 could worsen magnesium deficiency and increase the potential for side effects of excessive vitamin D3, such as having calcium deposits in the arteries.
Improves the Ability to Deal With Stress and Helps to Relax
A magnesium supplement significantly reduces stress[3] in people who are deficient in magnesium. Also, combined[4] with vitamin B6 was 40% more helpful than alone in very stressful situations. Findings support the need for magnesium supplementation for people living in conditions of chronic stress.[5]
Helps With Mood, Cognitive Function, and Mental Health
A magnesium supplement significantly improved[6] mood[7] after 2 weeks. Another trial found that magnesium supplements improved[8] mood in seniors.
Promotes Heart Health
Magnesium is extremely important for heart health[2] and blood vessel health. Magnesium deficiency seems to worsen the inflammation, blood vessel constriction, blood clotting, and stress responses that trigger heart conditions. Correcting deficiency appears to improve heart health and reduces risk of death, although it is unclear whether supplementation alone is sufficient to treat these conditions.
Promotes Healthy Blood Sugar Hormone Function And Promotes Healthy Metabolism
Magnesium is important for hormones that regulate blood sugar[9] to function well. Therefore, many people with blood sugar issues and[10] metabolic syndrome are deficient in magnesium. Even when the blood sugar[11] is well-controlled, a supplement would still be necessary to achieve healthy levels. In a clinical trial involving 65 diabetes patients, magnesium supplementation promotes healthy function[12] and metabolism.
A large-scale systematic and dose-response analysis found that magnesium supplementation correlated with reduced body weight[13] and waist circumference among specific groups of people. Participants seemed to weigh less and had smaller waist circumference if they took magnesium supplements.
Magnesium on its own doesn’t cure blood sugar problems or cause weight loss, but it can be highly beneficial in combination with diet and exercise.
Supports Exercise Performance and Recovery
Magnesium supplementation improves speed and strength,[15] possibly by making glucose metabolism more efficient. It also supports healthy stress response to exercise, counteracts excessive muscle damage,[16] and improves exercise recovery (400 mg/day, taken at breakfast).
Builds Stronger Bones
Magnesium are key building blocks of your bones.[18] Magnesium deficiency can contribute to osteoporosis by:
preventing healthy bone formation, creating brittle bones
causing low-grade inflammation
increasing cortisol, which can contribute to bone loss
reducing parathyroid hormone
In a clinical trial[19] involving 73,684 postmenopausal women, low magnesium intake was associated with lower bone density in the hip and whole body. Magnesium intake slightly higher than the Recommended Dietary Allowance was associated with lower arm and wrist fractures from falling. While magnesium is essential for bone health, magnesium supplements alone may not cure osteoporosis or osteopenia. Please speak to your doctor for diagnosis and treatments.
Improves Sleep Quality
In a small clinical trial involving 46 elderly subjects with sleep struggles,[17] 500 mg of daily magnesium supplement improved sleep quality, sleep latency, and cortisol. Subjects also had more serum melatonin, slept deeper, and were less likely to wake up in the middle of the night.
Promotes Healthy Blood Pressure
A meta-analysis of 34 randomized control trials found that magnesium reduced blood pressure.[20] However, the effect size is clinically small (<2 mmHg). Therefore, it may be good for supporting overall health and healthy blood pressure, but you may also need other interventions to achieve healthy blood pressure levels.
Promotes Balanced and Healthy Immune System
Magnesium deficiency[21]contributes to increased inflammation and weak immune responses.[22] In a meta-analysis[23] involving 32,198 people, those with more magnesium had less serum C-reactive protein (a marker of inflammation).
Overall, magnesium deficiencies tend to exacerbate or increase the risk of conditions that involve chronic inflammation.[24]