30 Oct Magnesium – A Key Ingredient in our HempMag High-Performance Supplements

A Common Nutrient Deficiency

The scientific literature provides extensive evidence of magnesium deficiency in many populations around the world.  Dietary intakes of magnesium in the United States have been declining over the last 100 years from about 500 mg/day to 175–225 mg/day.  Epidemiological studies in Europe and North America have shown that people consuming Western-type diets are typically low in magnesium, supplying less than 30%–50% of the RDA for magnesium¹.  Studies have shown that nearly two-thirds of the population in the western world is not receiving the recommended daily allowance for magnesium, a deficiency contributing to a wide-variety of health conditions such as chronic fatigue, depression, anxiety, irritability, ADHD/ADD, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, muscle weakness, tremors, chronic pain, headaches, and sleep problems.^1-3

A Powerful Protective Shield

Magnesium has been called the body’s primary “anti-stress” mineral because of its mood-boosting, calming effect on the brain and nervous system^1-6.  As a fundamental brain nutrient, it serves important neuroprotective functions in the body, and acts as a vital “protective shield” against environmental toxins and stress^7-9.  Magnesium serves as an essential co-factor in over 300 enzymes and neurotransmitter systems and has been shown to boost mood, reduce neuro-inflammation, decrease oxidative stress (i.e. slow the aging process), promote vitamin utilization, increase toxin clearance, promote increased blood flow and nutrient delivery through its vasodilatory effects, possess powerful cardioprotective benefits, improve symptoms of ADHD, and promote healthy brain function^1-11.

With all of its many benefits, magnesium works best in combination with other nutrients such as boron¹¹ (boosts magnesium absorption and retention), chromium¹³, and the B-complex vitamins^14-17.  Together, they exert powerful, beneficial effects on mood, focus, stress tolerance, and inflammation^1-16.  Magnesium is an essential cofactor for the proper utilization of thiamine (B1)^14-16 and pyridoxine (B6)^17.18, and research suggests that vitamin B6 may also be required for proper magnesium uptake into cells¹⁸.

Vitamins Need Minerals

One of the primary functions of minerals is their role in the utilization and activation of the vitamins we consume.  For example, if your body is running low on magnesium, it reduces your ability to utilize a number of nutrients including vitamins B1, B6, and D, and even high intakes of these vitamins cannot make up for this deficiency.  So, you can become vitamin deficient, in spite of plentiful intake, if you’re deficient in a mineral required for its utilization^9-13.  Thus, it’s always good to take your vitamins with a combination of complementary minerals (as found in the HempMag product suite) for optimum benefit.

Glutathione, SOD, GPx, and Catalase

Magnesium plays an essential role in the production of the body’s master antioxidant, glutathione¹⁹, and also raises levels of the powerful antioxidant enzymes – superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and catalase^20-21.  These “protector molecules” are essential in neutralizing highly reactive free-radicals, and in detoxifying heavy metals and other toxins that we’re exposed to through our food and environment.

A Vital Neuroprotective Mineral

As one of the body’s primary anti-stress nutrients, magnesium calms and quiets the system through a few primary mechanisms. One involves modulation and inhibition of the body’s primary excitatory receptor called the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor.  The excitatory amino acids, aspartate and glutamate are activators of this receptor, and when present in excess can kills brain cells in a process known as excitotoxicity.  Magnesium is one of your primary protectors against this process.  Recent studies also suggest that magnesium has protective effects against age-related mental decline, dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease^23-25.

A Natural, Feel-Good Mineral

In addition to its role in regulating NMDA receptor function – magnesium serves a vital role in the function of the love, bonding, and anti-stress hormone oxytocin²⁶.  Like oxytocin, the calming, inhibitory neurotransmitter, GABA also requires sufficient magnesium for its proper function²⁶ – as does dopamine, serotonin, and the opioid (endorphin) system as well^28-32.  In fact, all of your feel-good neurotransmitters and hormones need sufficient magnesium for their optimal functioning^26-32.

Need Increases During Physical and Mental Stress

Those who are under chronic stress, or have experienced a recent trauma or injury, would especially benefit from additional amounts of magnesium, as greater amounts are loss during physical, chemical, or psychological stress, which have been shown to reduce the brain magnesium level.  Magnesium also improves blood flow to the brain and other tissues via its vasodilatory action important in nutrient delivery and healing²².

In Summary

When it comes to diagnosing magnesium deficiency, due to the fact that serum magnesium does not reflect intracellular magnesium stores – which make up more than 99% of the total body magnesium – most cases of magnesium deficiency are undiagnosed.  Furthermore, because of decreases in food crop magnesium content, chronic diseases, medications (e.g. diuretics) – excess alcohol, refined sugar, caffeine, phosphoric acid (soda) consumption and the availability of refined and processed foods – the vast majority of people in western societies are at risk for magnesium deficiency^33,34.  Depending on your body weight – taking 200-800 mg per day (consult with your healthcare professional for the dose that best suits your needs) of a high-quality, highly bioavailable magnesium supplement – such as magnesium malate, taurinate, glycinate, or threonate will assist in correcting a deficiency, if present.

If you’re interested in improving your mood, cognitive function, stress tolerance, energy level, quality of sleep, and general state of well-being – optimizing your intake of this critically important nutrient should be at the very top of your list.

REFERENCES

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