How to Choose a High Quality Magnesium Supplement

Most Americans simply aren’t getting enough magnesium. It is estimated that nearly four out of five adults are not getting the daily magnesium RDA (400-420 mg/day for men, 310-320 mg/day for women).

Stress and caffeine use up magnesium. A diet lacking in fruits and vegetables, sweating, digestive issues, processed food intake increase need for magnesium. Numerous medications (blood pressure, diuretics, laxatives, methotrexate, antibiotics) also contribute to magnesium deficiency. Furthermore, soil that once provided abundant nutrients and minerals is now over-farmed and animals are now fed primarily nutrient-void or genetically modified grains. Dietary supplements can be invaluable and make a huge difference in overall health. But before you head the drugstore to pick any old magnesium supplement, make sure you choose a high quality supplement.

Low Quality Forms of Magnesium

Low quality mineral supplements will often contain magnesium in cheap forms like magnesium oxide, gluconate, and amino acid chelates. These low quality minerals are often compressed into tablets and glued together with dicalcium phosphate, making them pass through the digestive tract and into the toilet unaltered.

The cheapest form of magnesium is called magnesium oxide. Oxide salts break apart in the body and the oxide requires antioxidants to neutralize it. Why spend precious antioxidants neutralizing a low quality form of magnesium supplement? If you see that a company uses this cheap form of magnesium in their supplements, it is a sign they are cutting corners for profit. Supplements that contain magnesium oxide belong in the trash – most likely along with any other supplement in their product line. 

Another cheap salt form of magnesium is called magnesium aspartate (20% magnesium, 80% aspartic acid). Aspartic acid in small amounts is found in food and harmless. In high amounts, it can cause too much excitement in nerves. This can be problematic for people who already have stress or anxiety.

High Quality Forms of Magnesium

Magnesium on its own can be poorly absorbed into cells. Supplemental magnesium is typically bound to another substance. What it is bound to has a profound effect on how well it is absorbed into cells and perhaps even more importantly -- what magnesium does and where it goes in the body. You want to take magnesium that is absorbed well and can offer the most health benefits.

Some of the best forms of magnesium include magnesium glycinate, magnesium malate, and magnesium bound to Kreb’s cycle nutrients. These forms of magnesium are bound to amino acids that help carry the magnesium into cells, optimizing absorption.

At Wellness Resources, we formulate two highly absorbable magnesium supplements, RelaxaMag and Muscle Mag. RelaxaMag contains magnesium bound to relaxing amino acids to help sleep and stress. Muscle Mag contains magnesium malate and complimentary nutrients that help reduce lactic acid formation in the muscles and improve muscle function and muscle energy.

It is common for Americans to need more magnesium. Even a healthy diet may not be enough because of depleted soil. This makes supplementing with high quality magnesium a top health priority. Discover how this miracle mineral can improve your health!