Choosing the right magnesium for you
It's suspected that over 43% of Canadians don't consume enough dietary magnesium to maintain good health. A deficiency in this multi-tasking mineral can be problematic because it plays a vital role in over 350 biochemical reactions. This mineral isn't a medication to be taken only when necessary. Instead, it's a type of fuel or building block that our body uses, just as it uses sugars, proteins, and fats. Vital organs like the heart and brain simply cannot function without it. Hundreds of chemical processes in the body collapse without this mineral. When we say that our entire body needs magnesium, we are not exaggerating. It is essential to choose it well.
It's harder to find in food
Even foods traditionally rich in magnesium, such as leafy green vegetables and whole grains, may not be good sources of magnesium. Why? Because they are grown in nutrient-poor soils due to modern agricultural practices. Processed foods contain even less. For example, further refining can remove up to 97% of the magnesium in foods like bread and pasta.
It's harder to absorb
From phosphates in soda to gastrointestinal disorders like IBS, many aspects of our lives can hinder the absorption of the magnesium we consume. Medication-induced nutrient depletion is also common. Diuretic antihypertensive drugs and mineral-binding antibiotics can block magnesium before the intestines can even absorb it.
It's easier to lose
Modern life causes the body to expend and excrete more magnesium. For example, when we are stressed, magnesium is used to produce cortisol. Additionally, alcohol consumption and blood sugar sensitivity can lead the kidneys to eliminate more magnesium.
How to absorb magnesium?
The magnesium we absorb is never pure magnesium. Magnesium ions (Mg2+) are highly reactive and unstable. They are positively charged ions that like to form compounds with other substances. When they bind with negatively charged molecules (anions), they form salts. When they specifically bind to amino acids, we call them amino acid complexes.
Why choose chelates?
Magnesium salts are broken down into magnesium ions as soon as they come into contact with the acidic environment of the stomach. Magnesium amino acid complexes (or chelates) behave differently from magnesium salts. The strong and stable bonds between magnesium and amino acids keep the entire molecule intact in acidic environments. When these complexes pass through the intestinal tract, they use transport sites called dipeptide channels. From there, amino acids and magnesium are transported together across the intestinal membrane and offer several key advantages. For one, there are many more dipeptide channels than ion channels in the intestines. Magnesium complexes do not compete for the same ion channels used by other minerals. The stable bonds protect magnesium from unfavorable chemical reactions that can lead to the creation of unabsorbable precipitates. Mineral amino acid complexes are actually quite common in nature, and we naturally get magnesium in our diet. Some of this magnesium is already bound to amino acids, but even when we consume magnesium from salts, amino acids can help!
The wink
Ironically, magnesium needs magnesium to facilitate the absorption process. It is essential to contribute to enzyme synthesis, the repair of our intestinal lining tissue, and the health of our parasympathetic nervous system. For these processes to function properly, we must have enough magnesium in our bodies to provide energy so that these physiological tasks are performed well.
Which optimized CanPrev Magnesium Bis-Glycinate should you choose?
Choosing the ideal magnesium can be difficult. Effective magnesium supplementation depends on two factors: the amount consumed and what the body can absorb. The amount absorbed depends on lifestyle, diet, stress level, medications taken, and age. For most people, the Gentle formula will provide an effective and absorbable dose. For chronically stressed individuals, older individuals, those with low stomach acid, or those taking prescription medications, the Extra Gentle or Ultra Gentle product will ensure better absorption.
- Gentle: This unique complex of magnesium and glycine provides 200 mg of therapeutic elemental magnesium in a vegetable capsule. A just balance of potency, gentleness, and absorption, this magnesium bis-glycinate is ideal in most cases. It combines a pre-formed magnesium bis-glycinate chelate, as well as its precursors, magnesium oxide and glycine. Over 50% of the capsule's weight content is glycine. In the stomach (acidic environment), the oxide separates from the magnesium, and the free glycine binds to the magnesium ion to form magnesium bis-glycinate. An ideal product for most people with an active lifestyle.
- Extra Gentle: It is designed for those seeking increased potency and gentleness; this magnesium bis-glycinate provides more glycine to ensure magnesium absorption despite digestive issues. It provides a higher proportion of pre-formed magnesium bis-glycinate chelate than the Gentle product. It is recommended for people with digestive sensitivity, IBS, or low stomach acid. It is ideal for sensitive stomachs of people aged 55 and over.
- Ultra Gentle: It is designed for those seeking magnesium and maximum gentleness. This form provides the most glycine, without any oxide content, to ensure absorption and gentle resistance to insoluble substances. It is recommended for people with multiple prescriptions or suffering from digestive disorders such as Crohn's disease and colitis. It is ideal for people with digestive problems or who are taking medications.
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To learn more about magnesium bis-glycinate absorption, please visit magnesium.ca.