Are You Magnesium Deficient?

Magnesium is a critical co-factor in more that 300 enzymatic reactions in the body and magnesium deficiency can affect virtually every organ system. It is integrally involved in the production of energy in the cells via a biochemical reaction called the Kreb's Cycle. As a co-factor, magnesium participates in the synthesis of protein building DNA (found in every cell) and is a binding agent for messenger RNA. Magnesium participates in the formation of the energy reserve of the muscles (called cyclic AMP). Thus, deficiency of magnesium can be associated with fatigue and weakness. In fact, magnesium deficiencies account for a long list of symptoms that are easily alleviated when magnesium levels are raised. Magnesium, often referred to as the relaxation mineral, helps relieve tension, enhances bone mineralization, promotes more restful sleep, and offsets the loss of magnesium through adrenal stress. Magnesium is also beneficial for maintaining pH, heart muscle and blood vessel health, and more.

Key Systems that are Improved with Magnesium Supplementation


The Skeletal/Muscular System

Magnesium deficiency causes muscle tension, muscle soreness, twitching and cramping, aching joints, back pain, neck pain, tension headaches and migraines, and jaw tightness or (TMJ). Also, one may experience chest tightness (angina) or difficulty taking deep breaths. Symptoms that involve impaired contraction of smooth muscles include constipation, urinary spasms or incontinence, anal spasms, menstrual cramps, PMS, difficulty swallowing, reflux, and photosensitivity, difficulty adjusting to bright lights, and sensitivity to loud noises caused from muscle tension in the ear.


The Central Nervous System
This system is markedly affected and includes a wide range of symptoms including irritability for no known reason, anxiety, panic attacks, racing thoughts, insomnia, hyperactivity, restlessness, panic attacks, and an overall inability to relax.  Magnesium deficiency symptoms involving the peripheral nervous system include numbness, tingling, fibromyalgia, and restless leg syndrome.



The Cardiovascular System

Symptoms or signs of the cardiovascular system related to magnesium deficiency often include palpitations, arrhythmias, angina due to spasms of the coronary arteries, high blood pressure and mitral valve prolapse. 



How Magnesium Helps You Sleep

Magnesium has recently received considerable attention as an inexpensive dietary supplement that can resolve and alleviate many of the issues related to sleep disturbances.  Among its many important qualities, magnesium has a calming effect on the nervous system. In fact, Magnesium is considered the "anti-stress" or “relaxation” mineral. Its soothing effect over the nervous system, muscular system, and the most notably the adrenals, keeps the body in a state of relaxation. Issues that prevent you from falling asleep or wake you up in the night: noises jolt you, mind racing, muscle tension or achy joints, stiff neck, and frequent urination are just some of the few that are related to a magnesium deficiency.When a person is in a state of weak adrenal function, the release of cortisol can go all day and night. This not only keeps the body in a state of fight-or-flight, it also depletes the body of more magnesium -- a vicious cycle, if you will.



Why Is More than Half the American Population Magnesium Deficient?

Much of the American lifestyle conspires to help keep us mineral deficient, specifically magnesium deficient. Diets that contain practically no magnesium — a highly-processed, refined diet that is based mostly on refined grains, animal protein, and dairy (all of which have no magnesium). Furthermore, “whole grain” foods, even organic that are not properly soaked, contain phytic acid and antinutrients that prevent the absorption of vital minerals. Adding insult to injury, highly acidic beverages like soft drinks, alcohol, and sports drinks cause the body to leach precious magnesium. 

Other factors that can deplete magnesium, include stress, anxiety, tissue injury, prolonged fasting, radiation, an overactive thyroid, and chronic gastrointestinal concerns and general acidity caused from a diet high in processed foods including animal protein, refined sugar, caffeine and refined carbohydrates.



Adrenal Stress

One of the primary problems with poor magnesium status is adrenal cortical stress. Under states of stress, being late to work, working long hours, consuming excess caffeine, getting only 4-6 hours of sleep, etc., causes the adrenals to go into hyper-drive. During adrenal stress, there is a continual, wholesale magnesium excretion from the body. In these cases, no matter how much magnesium rich food is consumed, magnesium levels will continue to be low. Adrenal stress is becoming a major epidemic in this country, and its far reaching implications in the body are now just coming to light. 



The Preferred form of Magnesium

Magnesium Glycinate is a revolutionary new form of highly absorbable magnesium. It is a fully reacted amino acid chelate produced by a unique, patented process that is designed to enhance absorption and intestinal tolerance of magnesium. Unlike other formulations, the magnesium in Quantum Magnesium Glycinate is absorbed via a mechanism similar to that used by amino acids. It is not dependent on stomach acid for absorption. Therefore, Magnesium Glycinate may be the magnesium of choice for individuals who need additional magnesium support or for those who are chronically deficient in magnesium. The superior absorption of magnesium glycinate combined with low digestive stress and high intestinal tolerance allows higher amounts to be absorbed without the typical loose stool effect as seen with other forms of magnesium. 



Key Benefits of Magnesium Glycinate:
    •    Easily absorbed magnesium; slightly sweet taste
    •    Designed to raise magnesium levels & sustain them, especially when there is low adrenal function which often leads to rapid excretion of magnesium
    •    Used as a temporary fix while supporting rejuvenation of adrenal function
    •    Best absorbed magnesium form so it affords the least risk of loose stool
    •    Helps to ease menstrual cramps
    •    Supports healthy muscle relaxation and helps to relieve muscle tension
    •    Relieves anxiety, and physical symptoms related to stress
    •    Promotes more restful sleep
    •    Enhances mood and well-being
    •    Supports adequate ATP (energy) production, thus playing a key role in promoting healthy energy levels
    •    Promotes healthy nerve transmission
    •    Plays an important role in bone mineralization
    •    Magnesium is nature's laxative, therefore increasing gut motility
    •    Magnesium acts as a buffering agent to regulate the acid/alkaline status of the body
    •    In low magnesium states, we recommend not only Premier Magnesium Glycinate, but also Adrenal Complex (3 to 6 Vcaps, breakfast and lunch for 4 to 8 weeks). This is essential to support healthy adrenal function so magnesium excretion can return to normal levels.

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