Reacted Magnesium | Calabasas Medicine Group

Magnesium is an abundant mineral in the body and is found naturally in many foods, like green leafy vegetables. It is also found in over-the-counter medications, such as laxatives. The average American intake of magnesium, according to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES Study), is critically low — many Americans fail to consume the estimated average requirement (EAR) established by the Institute of Medicine. In addition, more than 57% of the population does not meet the United States Department of Agriculture requirements for magnesium in the diet. Intracellular magnesium levels are decreased by excessive intake of alcohol, salt, coffee, phosphoric acid found in sodas, diets high in calcium, and high stress levels. Because of the widespread nature of magnesium deficiencies, adequate daily intake of magnesium is critical for proper hydration, stress response, muscle relaxation, promoting healthy blood pressure levels, optimal bone mineral density, and blood sugar regulation.

The importance of bioavailability is obvious. If consuming a magnesium supplement has little effect on improving the body's magnesium balance, there is no reason to ingest it. Signs of inferior mineral supplements include the use of cheap, poorly absorbed, rock-salt minerals like calcium carbonate and magnesium oxide. These mineral forms slow and limit absorption, relying on adequate stomach acid to release magnesium ions which then enter the body via passive diffusion. Because they tend to remain in the intestines longer, these forms can cause intestinal distress such as constipation (calcium carbonate) or diarrhea (magnesium oxide).

Reacted Magnesium provides the additional benefit of highly absorbed Albion® mineral chelates — the world leader in manufacturing highly bioavailable mineral chelates, a specialized form of minerals bound to amino acids. In a magnesium comparison study reported by Graff et al. at Weber State University, Albion®'s magnesium amino acid chelate showed 8.8 times greater absorption than magnesium oxide, 5.6 times greater absorption than magnesium sulfate, and 2.3 times greater absorption than magnesium carbonate. Additional comparison studies have confirmed that magnesium chelate significantly reduced or eliminated menstrual abdominal discomfort at a dose of 400 mg, and that magnesium glycinate has a reduced laxative effect compared to other forms.

Studies to date have found that magnesium supplementation maintains healthy blood pressure levels. Calcium is essential to the contraction of muscles, while magnesium aids muscle relaxation. Insufficient magnesium levels can contribute to constriction of the muscles in blood vessels and trigger changes in blood pressure levels. A systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective studies found that higher serum levels of magnesium were significantly associated with enhanced heart health and optimized blood flow to the heart.

Magnesium is integral for the transport of insulin from the bloodstream to cells. Increasing magnesium levels has been shown to maintain normal blood sugar levels. Diets with higher amounts of magnesium are associated with blood sugar balance, due to the role of magnesium in glucose metabolism. A meta-analysis of seven prospective cohort studies, which included 286,668 patients, found that a 100 mg/day increase in total magnesium intake promoted insulin balance by a statistically significant 15%. Another meta-analysis of eight prospective cohort studies following 271,869 men and women found a significant association between magnesium intake from food and insulin balance.

Magnesium is involved in bone formation and influences the activity of osteoblasts and osteoclasts — cells responsible for the breakdown and formation of bone. Magnesium also impacts concentrations of parathyroid hormone and the active form of vitamin D, which are major regulators of bone homeostasis. Several population-based studies have found positive associations between magnesium intake and the state of bone strength and mineralization in both men and women.