Magnesium: How it works and how it can help you

Why Do We Need Magnesium?

Vital organs like the heart and brain simply cannot function without magnesium. In fact, over 800 different, essential biochemical roles have been identified for it. Magnesium’s roles in our body include muscle and heart contraction, reducing inflammation, regulating blood clotting, reducing blood pressure, controlling blood sugar, building and maintaining healthy bones, promoting bowel peristalsis, maintaining mood balance, and so much more.  

Magnesium isn’t a supplement we take only when the situation warrants. It’s more like a type of building block our body uses, just as it uses carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.  

What Does A Deficiency Look Like?  

Magnesium is a mineral commonly found in plant foods but it’s often lacking in our diets due to dietary choices and modern farming practices. Statistics show that nearly half of all Canadians are deficient in magnesium [1].  

A deficiency can lead to symptoms such as muscle cramps, migraines, insomnia, anxiety, high blood pressure, and restless legs, just to name a few. You may experience one or several symptoms at once, or there may be no signs at all until much later.  

What Affects Magnesium Absorption?  

Effective magnesium supplementation depends on how much you consume and how much your body can absorb. The amount you can absorb depends on your lifestyle, diet, stress levels, age, and medications you may be taking.  

For instance, magnesium absorption may be affected for those with weak stomach acid, gastrointestinal disorders [2] like Crohn’s or colitis, or if you are taking antacids. Furthermore, magnesium is easily lost with the intake of coffee, alcohol, diuretic drugs, and birth control pills. 

What is the Best Form of Magnesium? 

Each form of magnesium has various absorption rates and benefits on the body. Forms like magnesium citrate and oxide can cause a laxative effect in large doses and be driven out of the body through the colon. Magnesium bis-glycinate and malate have higher absorptive properties to allow the mineral to travel to the intestine and be easily absorbed. Gentle and effective.  

Gentle Magnesium Bis-Glycinate 

For most individuals, including those living an active lifestyle, CanPrev’s Magnesium Bis-Glycinate 200 will provide an effective dose of 200mg of magnesium bis-glycinate per capsule that’s both gentle and absorbable.  

For individuals who are chronically stressed, of older age, taking prescription medications, or have sensitive digestion, an extra or ultra gentle formula such as CanPrev’s Magnesium Bis-Glycinate 140 or 80 will provide better absorption. 

Find A Magnesium That’s Right For You 

Magnesium plays an important role in many biochemical reactions in the body, including the brain, muscle function and heart health. For this reason, it might be ideal to consume a formula that has cofactors and other nutrients that coincide with your immediate health goals.  

Magnesium for Better Sleep  

One of magnesium’s many roles include supporting neurological functions [3], regulating neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine, and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), and regulating neuron excitability. 

Dysregulation of these systems can lead to depression or anxiety. Magnesium helps modulate GABA activity in the brain, an inhibitory neurotransmitter that plays a role in motor control, vision, and anxiety. CanPrev’s Magnesium Sleep is a combination of magnesium, GABA, and melatonin to help you relax, reset your circadian biological clock, and get a good night’s sleep. 

Magnesium for Your Heart 

CanPrev’s Magnesium Cardio combines magnesium with vitamin B6, zinc, and the amino acid taurine, making this formula ideal for those seeking stronger cardiovascular support. 

Magnesium for Muscle Aches 

Magnesium Malate is an ideal choice for those who might feel chronically fatigued, experience aching muscles or symptoms associated with inflammation. This form is often recommended by Naturopathic Doctors for improved metabolic and energetic function. 

Magnesium for Your Bones and Teeth  

Magnesium plays a role in preventing osteoporosis through several mechanisms. It stimulates the production of calcitonin, the hormone responsible for inhibiting osteoclasts - cells that break down bone. Magnesium is also involved in synthesizing parathyroid hormone (PTH), which works to regulate cells responsible for bone renewal.  

It doesn’t stop there. Magnesium regulates the concentration of other minerals, including calcium, the mineral so crucial for building healthy bones and teeth, as well as proper heart and muscle function. 

Magnesium Bone is a blend of magnesium-glycine complex enhanced with unique vegan vitamin D3 and soy-free MK-7 vitamin K2 to help with the absorption of calcium to build strong, resilient bones.  

Full Mineral Support  

For whole body protection against mineral deficiencies, Magnesium Multi-Mineral is a blend of extra gentle magnesium-glycine complex combined with 8 chelated and highly absorbable essential minerals. This formula supports everything from tissue formation to metabolic function, and is perfect for replenishing essential minerals that may be depleted in our modern food supply.  

A Magnesium for Everyone 

In many situations where diet alone is unable to meet your recommended nutrient requirements, therapeutic supplementation may be a good option.  

With a wide selection of CanPrev magnesium products designed with optimizing your unique health needs in mind, there’s magnesium for everybody. Choose between capsules, powder and liquid, at the potency that suits your needs and in the purest form of magnesium available.  

Visit your Goodness Me! and speak with a natural health professional to find magnesium that is right for you. Can't make the trip? We've put together our list of trusted Naturopathic professionals that we work with regularly. 

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