Magnesium

Metabolism, Heart Health, Bone Strength & Cell Energy

Magnesium Background and Benefits

Magnesium is an essential mineral that plays a vital role in overall health and wellbeing. Found naturally in food and available through supplements, magnesium is involved in more than 300 biochemical processes throughout the body. It helps support energy production, healthy muscle and nerve function, sleep, mood, blood sugar metabolism, and cardiovascular health. Magnesium is also important for maintaining strong bones, producing DNA and proteins, and supporting the movement of key minerals such as calcium and potassium, which are essential for normal muscle contraction, nerve signalling, and heart rhythm.

The human body contains about 25 g of magnesium in adulthood, with just over half of this located in bones, and a further third in muscles and soft tissues. Intracellular magnesium is primarily stored in the mitochondria, where it generates the bioactive form of ATP that cells use, called the Mg-ATP Complex. This is the energy currency that all cells use.

Because magnesium is involved in so many biological processes, supplementation offers a wide range of potential health benefits.

Magnesium Glycinate

Our leading magnesium supplement features Albion’s® fully chelated Magnesium bisglycinate. Albion® Minerals has been a trusted leader in mineral science since 1956, known for quality, integrity, and innovation.

This fully chelated form binds magnesium to glycine, helping protect it through digestion for excellent absorption and gentle digestion. Unlike partially reacted blends, Albion® Magnesium bisglycinate is a true mineral amino acid complex that supports muscle, heart, nervous system, energy, and overall wellbeing.

Aquamin Mg® Marine Magnesium

Other Xtendlife products use a patented ingredient called Aquamin Mg®. The Aquamin marine magnesium is produced by Marigot Ltd., a company in Ireland that sources it from seawater harvested off the nation’s clear coastal waters. Marigot specializes in the development and marketing of marine multi-minerals. The sustainable seawater the company harvests absorbs minerals including magnesium, which are extracted in such a way that they are more easily absorbed than mined minerals. Aquamin marine magnesium not only contains a bioavailable form of magnesium but also 72 other trace minerals that offer health benefits.

Manage Healthy Inflammation

Evidence suggests that magnesium supports a healthy inflammatory response. Observational studies have found that lower magnesium intake is associated with higher levels of inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein. Clinical studies have also shown that magnesium supplementation can reduce inflammatory markers, particularly in people with low magnesium status, obesity, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, or chronic low-grade inflammation.

Cellular Energy & Metabolism

Magnesium plays a critical role in cellular energy production, helping the body convert food into usable energy. It acts as a cofactor for hundreds of enzymes involved in carbohydrate, fat, and protein metabolism. Magnesium is also required for the activation of ATP, the body's primary energy molecule.

Bone Health Support

Magnesium may support bone health by maintaining normal bone density, especially for women over the age of 50. Magnesium is often combined with calcium and vitamin D for comprehensive bone health support.

Sleep

Magnesium supports sleep by helping regulate GABA, the brain’s main calming neurotransmitter, promoting relaxation and preparing the body for rest.

Magnesium also supports melatonin production and function, helping regulate the body’s sleep-wake cycle and prepare for restful sleep.

Heart Health Support

Magnesium helps support a healthy heart by promoting healthy blood pressure, relaxed blood vessels, and steady circulation.

It also supports a regular heartbeat by helping balance key minerals used by heart muscle cells.

Healthy magnesium levels are linked with better cardiovascular wellbeing, including support for long-term heart and blood vessel health.

Magnesium also helps maintain a healthy inflammatory response, protect cells from oxidative stress, and support healthy cholesterol and triglyceride metabolism.

Signs You May Need Magnesium

Nearly 50 percent of adults in the United States are not getting the recommended amount of magnesium in their diet. Experts attribute low magnesium intake to modern dietary patterns. Many people do not consume enough magnesium-rich foods such as leafy greens, legumes, nuts, seeds, and whole grains and food processing removes much of the naturally occurring magnesium from ingredients such as grains.

If you’re not sleeping well, if muscle cramps are waking you up at night, you may need to add more magnesium to your diet.

Other common signs that you may need magnesium include unhealthy blood pressure and low bone density. You may also benefit from magnesium supplements if you have occasional headaches and feelings of anxiety.