The Problem: Magnesium Deficiency
Magnesium deficiency is widespread due to poor diet, stress, and certain health conditions. Symptoms include fatigue, muscle cramps, poor sleep, and hormonal imbalances. Many forms of magnesium, such as magnesium oxide or citrate, are poorly absorbed and can cause digestive issues, pulling water into the gut or binding to the stomach lining, making them less effective in reaching cellular levels. Stress further depletes magnesium levels, reducing the body’s ability to produce energy, as magnesium plays a crucial role in the Krebs cycle, where it acts as a cofactor for ATP production, the body's primary energy source.
The Benefits of Magnesium Bisglycinate
Superior Absorption
Magnesium bisglycinate is absorbed more efficiently than other forms of magnesium. Since it is chelated with glycine, it passes through the intestinal wall more easily, helping to ensure that the magnesium reaches the cells where it’s needed. Unlike magnesium oxide or citrate, it does not cause digestive issues like diarrhea or discomfort.
Energy and Stress Management
Magnesium is vital for producing ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the energy currency of the cell. During the Krebs cycle, magnesium activates enzymes that are necessary for generating ATP. Without sufficient magnesium, cells struggle to produce energy efficiently, leading to fatigue. Stress depletes magnesium stores, further compounding low energy levels and making it harder to manage stress. Supplementing with magnesium bisglycinate helps replenish magnesium levels, supporting energy production and stress resilience.
Cortisol, Hormones, and Weight Gain
Magnesium bisglycinate helps lower cortisol levels, a stress hormone that, when elevated, can lead to weight gain, hormonal imbalances, and mood swings. Both males and females can experience weight gain and metabolic issues when cortisol is chronically elevated, as it promotes fat storage, particularly in the abdominal area. Additionally, high cortisol disrupts hormone regulation, affecting everything from thyroid function to testosterone levels in men and estrogen in women. Magnesium helps regulate cortisol, leading to better weight management and improved hormonal balance.
Testosterone Support
Magnesium has been shown to increase testosterone levels, particularly in active men. It helps release bound testosterone, making it more bioavailable, which improves muscle mass, strength, and overall vitality. Low testosterone levels are associated with fatigue, muscle weakness, and decreased energy, issues that magnesium supplementation can help alleviate.
Adrenal Fatigue
Magnesium is also a key nutrient for people suffering from adrenal fatigue, a condition often caused by prolonged stress. The adrenal glands require magnesium to produce hormones such as cortisol and aldosterone, which regulate stress and fluid balance. When magnesium levels are low, the adrenal glands become overworked, leading to burnout. By replenishing magnesium, bisglycinate helps restore adrenal function, promoting recovery from adrenal fatigue.
Sleep Improvement
Magnesium bisglycinate supports better sleep by regulating GABA levels, a neurotransmitter that promotes relaxation and restful sleep. It also helps lower cortisol levels, a hormone that can keep you awake at night when elevated. This form of magnesium ensures that both mental and physical relaxation are supported, making it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep.
Heart Health and Rhythm
Magnesium is crucial for maintaining a healthy heart rhythm and preventing arrhythmias. It helps regulate electrical activity in the heart by maintaining electrolyte balance, especially calcium and potassium, which are necessary for proper heart function. Magnesium bisglycinate’s efficient absorption ensures that enough magnesium reaches heart cells, reducing the risk of cardiovascular issues and helping stabilize the heart's electrical signals for proper rhythm.
Bone Density and Osteoporosis
Magnesium is essential for maintaining bone density and preventing osteoporosis. It regulates calcium balance, ensuring that calcium is properly absorbed into the bones rather than deposited into the arteries. Magnesium deficiency has been linked to bone loss and increased fracture risk, especially in aging individuals. Supplementing with magnesium bisglycinate helps improve bone strength and supports long-term bone health.
Muscle Function and Cramps
Magnesium helps relax muscles and prevent cramps by reducing tension and aiding in muscle recovery after exercise. This also extends to alleviating menstrual cramps and the discomfort associated with restless leg syndrome. It’s also essential for proper muscle contraction and relaxation, making it beneficial for athletes and active individuals. By delivering magnesium directly to muscle cells, magnesium bisglycinate ensures faster relief from muscle cramps and soreness.
Blood Pressure Regulation
Magnesium is essential for regulating blood pressure by relaxing blood vessels and improving blood flow. Regular supplementation with magnesium bisglycinate has been shown to lower blood pressure in those with hypertension, making it an important nutrient for cardiovascular health.
Asthma and Lung Function
Magnesium plays a key role in relaxing the bronchial muscles, helping to open up the airways and improve breathing in individuals with asthma. Studies have shown that magnesium can help reduce the severity of asthma attacks by relaxing the smooth muscles in the respiratory system and improving lung function. This makes magnesium supplementation, particularly bisglycinate due to its superior absorption, a supportive treatment for individuals dealing with asthma. Research suggests intravenous magnesium can also reduce emergency asthma exacerbations .
Headache and Migraine Relief
Magnesium bisglycinate has been found to be effective in reducing the frequency and intensity of migraine headaches. Magnesium's role in relaxing blood vessels and regulating neurotransmitters helps ease the vascular and neurological triggers that lead to migraines.
Vitamin D3 Cofactor
Magnesium is essential for activating vitamin D3, which supports calcium absorption and bone health. Without sufficient magnesium, vitamin D cannot effectively manage calcium, potentially leading to calcium buildup in the arteries rather than being used for bone strengthening.
The Solution: Daily Magnesium Bisglycinate Supplementation
To combat deficiency and maximize health benefits, daily supplementation with magnesium bisglycinate offers superior absorption and efficacy. However, many popular brands advertise magnesium bisglycinate on their labels, but when you read the small print, they often contain blends of cheaper, less effective forms like magnesium oxide or citrate. These blends can lead to digestive issues and interfere with reaching your saturation point, which is when magnesium levels in your cells are optimized.
Reaching magnesium saturation involves slowly increasing your dose until you experience loose bowels—an indicator that your cells have absorbed enough magnesium. Once you reach this point, you can reduce your dose by one capsule to maintain optimal magnesium levels. Cheaper forms of magnesium pull water into the bowels prematurely, causing digestive discomfort before your cells can be fully saturated with magnesium. Nuterica only uses fully reacted, triple-verified magnesium bisglycinate to ensure that you absorb the full benefits without these drawbacks, supporting energy production, sleep, heart health, and blood pressure regulation while offering relief from migraines, restless leg syndrome, hormonal imbalances, adrenal fatigue, low testosterone, heart rhythm stabilization, asthma, and menstrual cramps.
References:
DiNicolantonio, J. J., O'Keefe, J. H., & Wilson, W. (2018). Subclinical magnesium deficiency: A principal driver of cardiovascular disease and a public health crisis. Open Heart, 5(1), e000668.
Barbagallo, M., & Dominguez, L. J. (2010). Magnesium and aging. Current Pharmaceutical Design, 16(7), 832-839.
Rude, R. K., & Gruber, H. E. (2004). Magnesium deficiency and osteoporosis: Animal and human observations. Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry, 15(12), 710-716.
Sontia, B., & Touyz, R. M. (2007). Role of magnesium in hypertension. Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics, 458(1), 33-39.
Elin, R. J. (2010). Assessment of magnesium status for diagnosis and therapy. Magnesium Research, 23(4), 194-198.
Ciarallo, L., et al. (1996). Beneficial effects of intravenous magnesium sulfate in acute asthma. American Journal of Emergency Medicine, 14(1), 8-12.