The mineral magnesium is an important player in our health. It is involved in a number of functions in our body and it is not uncommon to hear “you need to take more magnesium” when someone has a leg cramp or eyelid twitching. In addition, many people do not know that magnesium is important not only for the human organism, but also for technologies, industry, agriculture and many other areas that we come into contact with in everyday life.
In this article we explain in more detail how important magnesium is for the human organism, in which areas of our biochemistry it plays a particularly important role and why it makes sense to take magnesium as a supplement. We are also introducing our newest product, our Four-Fold Magnesium, which we developed based on the importance and effects of magnesium.
What is Magnesium?
First of all, magnesium is a chemical element with the symbol “Mg” and atomic number 12 in the periodic table of our elements. Physically, it is a silvery-white, light alkali metal that belongs to the group of alkaline earth metals. By the way, magnesium is the second most abundant earth metal on our planet after aluminum, which is why it can be found in many minerals, rocks, our sea water and living organisms.
If you now imagine that magnesium occurs in the earth, the sea and in living organisms, then it seems a bit abstract at first. This is because magnesium generally occurs in different compounds in nature.
For example, magnesium oxide, which is often one of the main ingredients for magnesium supplements, is obtained by burning magnesium or magnesium compounds and then processing it into a powder.
Magnesium chloride, which is an ingredient in the well-known Epsom bath salts, is obtained from seawater or underground salt deposits.
Magnesite (magnesium carbonate) and dolomite (a calcium-magnesium carbonate) are mined as minerals from the earth and used to produce magnesium metal, but also for the production of fertilizers, glass and ceramics.
We therefore present other well-known magnesium compounds:
Various compounds of magnesium
Magnesium Citrate: Magnesium citrate is an organic compound in which magnesium is bound to citric acid.
Magnesium Oxide: Magnesium oxide is an inorganic compound used as a source of magnesium. This form of magnesium has a particularly high magnesium concentration. It is particularly used to support intestinal health.
Magnesium glycinate : Magnesium glycinate is a compound of magnesium and the amino acid glycine. This form of magnesium is characterized by excellent bioavailability and is often used for its calming effects on the body.
Magnesium malate: Magnesium malate is a compound of magnesium and malic acid. There is clear evidence that magnesium malate can support energy production in the body, as malic acid plays a role in energy metabolism.
Magnesium glycerophosphate: Magnesium 2-amino-3-(hydroxypropyl) phosphate, is a specific compound of magnesium and glycerophosphate. It is an organic form of magnesium in which the magnesium ion is bound to the glycerophosphate molecule. Glycerophosphate is a natural substance found in the body and plays an important role in metabolism and energy metabolism. The combination of magnesium and glycerophosphate in magnesium glycerophosphate allows for better absorption and bioavailability of the magnesium.
We encounter magnesium everywhere in nature and also in everyday life, where it can be present in various compounds. In this article we would of course like to focus on the biochemical aspect of magnesium.
If we focus more on the biological aspect, magnesium is essential for living beings. It plays an important role in many biochemical processes in the body.
What functions does magnesium have for humans?
As an essential mineral, magnesium must be supplied by people through their diet, as our body cannot produce magnesium itself. Magnesium is crucial for the human body and it performs a variety of important functions in our biochemistry.
It acts as a cofactor for numerous enzymes and supports enzymatic reactions in various metabolic pathways. In particular, it is of great importance for our energy metabolism, as it plays a key role in converting food into energy. By activating ATP, our body's energy carrier, and participating in glycolysis and the citrate cycle, magnesium influences energy production.
Magnesium also plays an important role in muscle contraction and nerve function. It is involved in the release of neurotransmitters and affects the transmission of nerve impulses. It also supports the relaxation of the muscles after contraction. This is also the reason why when we lack magnesium we quickly get cramps in our calves or our eyelids twitch uncontrollably.
Magnesium is also essential for our bone health as it is involved in building and maintaining bone structure. Overall, it even makes up 1 to 2% of the total weight of our bones, even though the bulk element is incredibly light.
Magnesium is also indispensable in the area of cardiovascular function. It regulates the heart rhythm, supports the relaxation of the blood vessels and influences blood pressure. Magnesium also plays a role in stabilizing the DNA structure and contributes to DNA repair.
These numerous functions clearly show us how important magnesium is for the smooth running of biochemical processes in the human body. A sufficient supply of magnesium is therefore crucial to ensure that these functions run smoothly and to optimally support our health.
But what would it actually look like if you suffered from a magnesium deficiency?
A magnesium deficiency should not be underestimated
A magnesium deficiency can have devastating effects on our bodies and our health in a number of ways.
One of the most obvious effects of magnesium deficiency, as mentioned above, affects the muscles. A lack of magnesium can lead to muscle cramps, muscle twitching, muscle tension and even muscle weakness. These symptoms can occur both during sport and in everyday life and can significantly affect our quality of life and fitness.
Since magnesium is also very important for the transmission of nerve impulses and the regulation of the nervous system, a magnesium deficiency can negatively affect the nervous system. A deficiency can lead to symptoms such as nervousness, irritability, sleep problems, anxiety and even depression.
In addition, a magnesium deficiency can also affect our cardiovascular system. A magnesium deficiency can lead to cardiac arrhythmias, increased blood pressure and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
Another area that is affected by a magnesium deficiency is our energy metabolism. Fatigue, listlessness and general weakness are just a few potential symptoms.
Magnesium is an important mineral that is essential for a variety of body functions. However, getting enough magnesium through your diet can be difficult, especially for people who exercise a lot or suffer from stress.
It can also be challenging to meet your daily magnesium requirements through diet alone. Magnesium-rich foods such as green leafy vegetables, nuts, seeds and whole grains may be present in our diet, but many people have difficulty consuming sufficient amounts of these foods (regularly). This may be due to individual dietary habits, preferences or limited availability or time. In such cases, taking a high-quality magnesium supplement can help meet daily requirements for this important mineral.
We at BE THE CHANGE have therefore developed our Four Fold Magnesium based on human biochemistry and under the strictest criteria and requirements. It is the perfect, bioavailable supplement for anyone looking to optimize their diet and health with a high-quality magnesium complex.
Magnesium from BE THE CHANGE
Our Four-Fold Magnesium is part of our Swiss Essentials® collection from BE THE CHANGE. Our Swiss Essentials® are vital substance preparations of the best Swiss quality. They guarantee high absorption (bioavailability) of the micro and macronutrients they contain and are sustainably manufactured in Switzerland.
Our Four-Fold Magnesium capsules contain a magnesium complex made up of four high-quality magnesium compounds. Each one of these compounds is well absorbed by the body at different rates. The magnesium preparation from BE THE CHANGE therefore ensures the best possible bioavailability and tolerability.
The high-quality magnesium complex forms bases and therefore helps with deacidification and the regulation of the acid-base balance. The capsules are the ideal supplement for anyone who values a healthy diet and wants to be effectively supplied with enough magnesium in everyday life. The sources of magnesium are 100% natural and optimally dosed, without artificial additives or preservatives.
Sources
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