Magnesium is an essential mineral required for the normal healthy functioning of your body. It is involved in over 300 different enzyme systems, energy production, heart health, glucose metabolism, relieving muscle cramps and spasms, and elevating mood, just to name a few. For a good therapeutic effect, you need highly bioavailable and absorbable organic forms of this mineral.

Magnesium: Organic vs Inorganic

This mineral comes in either organic or inorganic forms. Organic forms include citrate, glycinate, orotate and amino acid chelates, while inorganic forms include oxide, chloride and carbonate. Organic forms are generally better absorbed and don’t tend to produce digestive disturbances when compared to inorganic forms. In studies, organic forms consistently show greater bioavailability than inorganic forms.

Magnesium absorption

Magnesium absorption takes place in the small intestine and absorption either increases or decreases depending upon your body’s requirements; low serum magnesium promotes increased absorption and high serum magnesium promotes decreased absorption. Magnesium levels are regulated by; the small intestines (controlling absorption); the kidneys (controlling excretion); and bones, teeth, muscles, liver, pancreas and other non-muscle soft tissue (major storage sites).

Organic forms include:

• Magnesium citrate In magnesium citrate, the mineral is bonded to citric acid, so remains stable in the stomach in the presence of hydrochloric acid and is delivered intact to your small intestine for easy absorption. Magnesium citrate is electrically neutral so doesn’t interfere or compete with other important nutrients for absorption. Citric acid is an essential component of the citric acid or Kreb’s cycle where your body’s high energy currency (adenosine triphosphate or ATP) is produced.

• Magnesium glycinate Magnesium glycinate is made up of magnesium and glycine, a non-essential amino acid. This form is easily absorbed as it’s bound to an amino acid (glycine) that assists the mineral’s absorption through the small intestine, enhancing the uptake into the bloodstream.

• Magnesium orotate Magnesium orotate is produced by combining magnesium with orotic acid. Orotic acid makes it easier for the mineral to travel across cell membranes making it highly bioavailable. Additionally orotic acid is used in the production of cellular energy and has been shown to enhance energy production within the heart.

• Magnesium amino acid chelate Structurally, magnesium amino acid chelate is made up of amino acids bonded in a stable form to magnesium. In your body's natural process of digestion, amino acids are used to naturally chelate (bond) minerals and help transport them across the intestinal wall. This allows them to be more bioavailable and better absorbed in your body. 

There are many factors that may contribute to a magnesium deficiency including poor dietary intake, increased excretion, diet and lifestyle choices, digestive disorders, stress and even some medications. Common health conditions that may benefit from highly bioavailable organic forms of magnesium include:

• Cardiovascular disease
• Chronic stress
• Diabetes type 1 & type II
• Fatigue & debility
• Fibromyalgia
• High blood pressure
• Insomnia
• Kidney stones (prevention)
• Migraine headaches (prevention)
• Mood disturbance & anxiety
• Muscle cramps & spasms
• Osteoporosis
• Pregnancy & Lactation
• Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
• Restless leg syndrome
• Syndrome X (insulin resistance) 

Mr Vitamins recommends the following Herbs of Gold Products

• Magnesium Forte
• Magnesium Citrate 900
• Muscle Resuscitation

Find out more about Herbs of Gold Marvellous Magnesium here