Magnesium: The Multitasking Mineral


As the fourth most abundant mineral in the human body, magnesium plays an important role in numerous bodily functions. In fact, it’s involved in over 800 different reactions in the body.

In addition to many other things, magnesium:

  • Converts food into energy
  • Creates new proteins from amino acids
  • Helps repair and create DNA and RNA
  • Plays a role in the contraction and relaxation of muscles
  • Helps regulate neurotransmitters, which convey messages through your brain and nervous system

Although magnesium is a vital mineral for many different processes in the body, we cannot create it, so we must obtain it from dietary or supplement sources. Foods that are high in magnesium include nuts, seeds, legumes and leafy green vegetables.

What are chelated minerals?

Chelated minerals are minerals that are chemically combined with amino acids, a chelating agent, to form complexes. Chelation means “to grab or bind”, and refers to the formation of bonds within a single central atom. Binding minerals with a chelating agent helps prevent the minerals from clashing with other mineral compounds, while also boosting absorption.

There is somewhat limited research on the subject of chelated minerals, but they are said to be more bioavailable than non-chelated minerals, which means that they are more readily used by the body.

Why should I supplement with magnesium and chelated minerals?

Chelated Minerals

Taking chelated minerals can support normal growth, help build strong muscles and bones, improve immune function, stabilize bipolar disorder and generally contribute to overall health.

Older adults specifically may benefit from taking chelated minerals, as stomach acid production goes down with age, and this can affect their ability to absorb minerals. Most minerals are available in chelated form, including zinc, iron, calcium, magnesium, copper, potassium cobalt, molybdenum and chromium.

CanPrev’s Magnesium Multi-Mineral contains extra-gentle magnesium-glycine complex combined with 8 chelated and highly absorbable essential minerals. This formula supports everything from tissue formation to metabolic function, replenishing essential minerals that may be missing from our modern food supply.

Magnesium

There are many reasons to up your magnesium intake and make sure you’re getting adequate amounts of this essential mineral.

Exercise Performance

Studies show that you need approximately 10-20% more magnesium when you are exercising compared to when you’re idle. This is because magnesium moves blood sugar into your muscles, while disposing of lactate (a substance that gets produced by your cells as you process food into energy). Lactate can build up during exercise and cause fatigue, and magnesium is thought to aid this.

Brain Function and Mood

Low levels of magnesium in the body have been linked to depression, and some researchers believed this is linked to the lower magnesium content in food. Studies have shown that people with low magnesium intake under the age of 65 have a 22% increased risk of depression.

Lowers high blood pressure

In a study that had participants take 450 mg of magnesium per day, results showed that they had a notable decline in systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Magnesium to lower blood pressure is recommended for those who already have high blood pressure, and may not have any effect on those with a healthy blood pressure.

Migraine Prevention

Consuming magnesium-rich foods is said to help reduce symptoms of migraine, and researchers believe that magnesium deficiency and being prone to migraines are linked. One study found that magnesium supplementation, when taken acutely, treated a migraine attack more effectively than common migraine medication.

Benefits those with type 2 diabetes

Studies have indicated that a whopping 48% of those with type 2 diabetes have deficient levels of magnesium in their blood. Low levels of magnesium in the blood can interfere with insulin’s ability to control blood sugar levels. Additionally, magnesium reduces insulin resistance, which is a leading cause of type 2 diabetes.

CanPrev’s Magnesium Bis-Glycinate is available in Gentle, Extra-Gentle and Ultra-Gentle formulas for optimal potency and absorption in each therapeutic dose. Each vegetable capsule contains up to 20% more elemental magnesium than other magnesium supplements, with absolutely no fillers.

CanPrev Magnesium


About the Author: CanPrev

“CanPrev”

At CanPrev, our mission is to keep advancing naturopathic medicine tools, working with the body’s natural healing ability, in order to improve quality of life. We’re working to put your health back into your hands. Learn more at canprev.ca.