Athletes have long appreciated magnesium as it improves muscle function and reduces fatigue. New studies have shown that people who have a sufficient intake of magnesium are more satisfied with their quality of life and health.
Magnesium is one of the most-studied nutrients and a classic of orthomolecular medicine, which deals with the use of minerals, vitamins, and trace elements to prevent and treat diseases.
As a cofactor of more than 300 enzymes, magnesium is involved in numerous functions in the organism, such as signal transmission and release of hormones and neurotransmitters. Magnesium deficiency is usually manifested by various symptoms of the muscles, such as muscle cramps, and symptoms of the cardiovascular system, such as cardiac arrhythmia.
Magnesium supply has clear links to good health and quality of life.
Magnesium and Quality of Life
A study recently showed that magnesium supply is clearly related to health and quality of life. The study used blood analyses from 81 people (48 women and 31 men aged 16 to 90 – average age 45) and the results of the questionnaires they completed. 39 people had an average or above-average magnesium supply, i.e. they were optimally supplied with magnesium. The remaining 42 people had a below-average value and thus a poor magnesium supply.
All 81 people surveyed also completed a questionnaire. The 36 questions of which were divided into 8 categories, providing information about the emotional, health, and psychological state of the test persons. The results of the questionnaires and the blood analyses were then correlated.
An above-average magnesium status improves vitality, mental well-being, and physical functioning.
The results of the investigation were clear: The higher a person’s magnesium supply, the better they assessed their quality of life. Persons with an above-average magnesium status clearly rated the categories pain, mental well-being, and vitality better than those with below-average status. In the category “physical functioning” the results were even clearer.
Older surveys have also found that a sufficient magnesium intake can also reduce stress or reduce the effort required for the same performance.
According to nutritionist Dr. Ina Viebahn, the mineral is irreplaceable for the proper course of our metabolism and new effects of magnesium are constantly being discovered. Magnesium also has a positive effect on allergy sufferers and is used in pain therapy. In addition, performance can be increased and burnout can be prevented.
For better absorption, several different magnesium compounds should be taken.
The mineral is present in several compounds, such as magnesium citrate or magnesium carbonate. In order to be able to absorb magnesium in the intestine, each compound must first be dissolved. However, the solubility of magnesium depends on the pH value in the digestive tract, which is different for the individual magnesium compounds.
This is made more difficult by the fact that there are strong pH differences between our very acid stomach and the basic small intestine. Also the intake of medication, the presence of stress, and inadequate nutrition can change this acid-base ratio in the short term. In order to maintain the greatest possible balance, it is therefore of great advantage to offer the body several different magnesium compounds.
