Product Details
What is Magnesium Gluconate?
Magnesium gluconate is a chelated magnesium salt bonded to gluconic acid. Combining magnesium salts with amino acids stabilizes the mineral and improves its ability to cross the intestinal barrier. According to one study, magnesium gluconate has the highest bioavailability of magnesium salts. The study compared magnesium oxide, chloride, sulfate, carbonate, acetate, pidolate, citrate, gluconate, lactate, and aspartate. The study did not include magnesium glycinate, which also has high bioavailability.
Magnesium is an essential mineral that every cell in the body needs to function. The body uses magnesium to facilitate DNA and protein synthesis, carbohydrate metabolism, and energy production. Gluconic acid salts, also known as gluconates, are the product of oxidized and fermented glucose. Gluconic acid has chelating and antiseptic properties. It occurs naturally in honey, fruit, and wine. The food and beverage industry uses it as an additive to regulate acidity and provide a mild and refreshing sour flavor.
What Does Magnesium Do?
The body's needs for magnesium are ubiquitous, as the mineral plays a role in more than 600 enzymatic reactions. It catalyzes adenosine triphosphate (ATP) synthesis by stimulating adenyl cyclase. Scientists often refer to ATP as the energy of the cells because it can store, transport, and exchange energy between cells. Magnesium also plays a role in converting creatine into phosphocreatine by activating creatine kinase. Phosphocreatine is an energy reserve that helps restore ATP. Magnesium facilitates numerous biosynthetic and biochemical processes, including the citric acid (Krebs) cycle, glycolysis, metabolizing carbohydrates, and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) formation.
Potential Magnesium Benefits
Magnesium deficiencies are common, affecting up to 20% of developed populations and up to 30% of all populations. Modern diets are often in short supply of magnesium-rich foods, resulting in frequent insufficiency. Given magnesium's numerous roles in the body, a deficiency can wreak havoc on several aspects of health. In addition to correcting magnesium deficits, individuals may benefit from magnesium supplements in other ways.
Magnesium and Exercise Performance
Exercise increases the body's demand for magnesium. It serves as a transport for sugar into muscles while also removing lactic acid from muscles. The body needs oxygen to utilize glucose as an energy source. However, if there isn't enough oxygen available, it can synthesize lactate for energy. The body can only use lactate for so long and hits its threshold once lactic acid builds up faster than the body can clear it. Individuals can exercise briefly beyond this threshold but eventually begin to feel nauseous and fatigued. Magnesium can delay this by removing lactic acid, which may allow individuals to exercise for longer.
Studies show magnesium may benefit athletic performance in other ways, too. Research shows that athletes' physical performance improved after taking magnesium supplements. A study also found that magnesium protected against muscle damage in cyclists and increased muscle mass and power output in women. Individuals with insufficient magnesium levels experience even more pronounced improvements in exercise performance after taking magnesium supplements.
Magnesium and Sleep
Studies show that magnesium may improve sleep in several ways. The body needs magnesium for quality sleep, and insufficient levels can result in sleep problems. Magnesium also stimulates the activity of serotonin N-acetyltransferase activity (NAT), which is a precursor to synthesizing melatonin sleep hormones. Magnesium may further improve sleep by promoting relaxation. It binds to gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors, which help dampen and calm neuronal excitability. Research also shows that magnesium enhances sleep quality, reduces the amount of time it takes to fall asleep, and increases sleep duration.
Magnesium and Mood
Research examining magnesium's role in mood dates back as far as 1921. Magnesium converts into neurotransmitters involved in mood regulation, such as serotonin and tryptophan. Without sufficient magnesium, serotonin levels also suffer and can worsen mood disorders. Magnesium may further benefit mood by blocking N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) ion channels. Much like insufficient serotonin, activated NMDA receptors can worsen mood conditions. Insufficient magnesium can also make individuals more susceptible to the physical effects of stress, resulting in irritability and mood swings.
Best Magnesium for Constipation
While most magnesium supplements can offer some constipation relief, magnesium hydroxide has the most powerful laxative properties. The intestines also only absorb 4% of the magnesium from the hydroxide form. It's not suitable for addressing magnesium deficiencies, but it's a better option for individuals who need to limit their magnesium intake.
Magnesium for Constipation
Magnesium supplements are a common remedy for occasional constipation. Magnesium helps stimulate bowel movements by drawing water into the intestines to soften stools. Chelated forms of the mineral, like magnesium gluconate, are typically gentler on the GI tract, making them less likely to cause diarrhea.
Key Features
MAGNESIUM FOR WOMEN & MEN: Magnesium gluconate is a highly bioavailable form of supplemental magnesium used for medical patients but also everyday people who need a high-quality supplemental form of this important electrolyte for nervous system and heart health.
FAST ABSORBING MAGNESIUM: It contains 500 mg of magnesium gluconate supplying 30 mg of elemental magnesium which may help support normal, healthy blood pressure, heart health and a state of relaxation.
EASY ON THE STOMACH: Magnesium is at the center of many processes that require the contraction and release of smooth and skeletal muscles and the self-regulation of blood pressure by blood vessels. Having a form supplemental magnesium that is easy to digest and absorbs quickly into the bloodstream is important.
NO BAD STUFF: Guaranteed no added sugar, wheat, soy, yeast, dairy, gluten, fish, shellfish, tree nut, peanut, or egg. Free from artificial fragrance, colors, flavors, and preservatives. Sodium free.
THE BEST VITAMINS FOR OVER 50 YEARS: For more than five decades, has produced quality vitamin supplements under cGMPs (current Good Manufacturing Practices)
