6 reasons why supplements with magnesium are a must:

Is magnesium part of your supplement regime? Supplements with magnesium just don't get the same attention as vitamin D – the UK's most popular supplement in 2023. Even Omega-3 and iron, which ranked 4th and 5th on supplement shopping lists last year according to a survey by The Grocer magazine. Strange, when you consider this must-have mineral plays an essential role in a whopping 300 biological processes in your body. Supporting immune, nerve, and muscle function, helping to keep your bones and heart strong, and much, much more! Plus, according to health experts like Dr Rhonda Patrick and Dr Mark Hyman, magnesium is the 2nd highest deficiency in developed countries (after vitamin D).

And many people won't even know that they are deficient either. Research shows that the serum magnesium measured in blood tests, doesn't reflect the levels of magnesium inside your cells. There could be millions of people with subclinical magnesium deficiencies which won't show up on a test, but could be having a significant impact on health.

If you're not getting enough magnesium, you might feel tired and weak, lose your appetite, or experience constant nausea. Over time a magnesium deficiency can have a serious negative impact on both your cardiovascular health and nervous system. You could end up with irregular heart rhythms, seizures, or even personality changes – yikes.

But don't panic, a magnesium deficiency is easily remedied by taking a supplement. And guess what? As well as keeping a deficiency at bay, regularly taking supplements with magnesium has plenty of additional wellbeing benefits too – hurrah! Read on to discover what these are, plus the different types of magnesium you can take, and which supplements are most effective to feel these magnesium benefits fully:

Which supplements with magnesium are most effective?

For some people, magnesium can cause unpleasant digestive side effects like nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. All of which can, quite understandably, put you off taking supplements with magnesium. Digestive issues can also mean less magnesium (and other nutrients) makes it through your gut wall into your bloodstream.

If you want to avoid tummy upsets (and who wouldn't!), a transdermal patch like our TriMag Complex or MagnaCalm are the best way to top up your magnesium levels. Superior to oral supplements, patches deliver the magnesium directly into your bloodstream, via the skin, totally bypassing the gut.

Even better, our patches have a clever slow release mechanism, which means small amounts of magnesium are released into your blood throughout the day. These smaller amounts are much easier for your body to absorb and make use of. This means lots of our customers find they feel more of a benefit from their supplements. No more upset stomachs AND improved efficacy, what's not to like?

What are the different types of magnesium, and which works best for what?

Did you know there are 11 different types of magnesium? When you're trying to choose between supplements with magnesium, the selection can feel dizzying! There are pros and cons for each type of magnesium and it's worth bearing this in mind when selecting the right supplement for you.

Magnesium theronate, malate, and glycinate are widely considered to be the three most bioavailable types, which is why you'll find them all in our expertly formulated Tri-Magnesium complex patch. Studies have shown that magnesium malate is especially suited to improving fatigue, and lessening pain and soreness, and providing an energy boost. While magnesium glycinate is particularly effective in promoting better sleep, balancing your hormones, and reducing stress, depression, and inflammation in the body. Research suggests that magnesium theronate is highly effective in increasing magnesium concentration in brain cells and can help to improve brain health, memory loss, and low mood.

The Tri-Mag is a great catch-all, whatever you're looking for from your magnesium supplement. But if you'd like to take magnesium specifically to help with anxiety and better sleep, we'd recommend the MagnaCalm patch, which contains magnesium theronate alongside 5-HTP and Myo-inositol, which can encourage the production of happiness hormones in the brain. Plus, natural stress and anxiety relievers L-Theanine, DHH-B, and passionflower.

How else can supplements with magnesium help you?

1. Upping your magnesium levels can strengthen your bones

As discussed earlier, magnesium is crucial for 300 biological processes in the body. And building up your bones is one of them!  Magnesium helps your body use calcium and vitamin D and plays a key role in minerals, like calcium, hardening and strengthening your bones. If you take vitamin D and calcium to support your bone health, don't forget to add supplements with magnesium. Don’t add in magnesium and you might not get the full benefit.

2. Supplements with magnesium could help you get a great night's sleep

Fed up with counting sheep in the wee small hours? Add magnesium to your bedtime routine. Studies have shown that magnesium can promote sleep by reducing the stress hormone cortisol, increasing the sleep hormone melatonin, and helping to regulate neurotransmitters in the central nervous system that aid sleep and relaxation.

Can't sleep, won't sleep? We'd also recommend our Sleep Aid for Kids/Adults a gentle, all-natural way to get your sleep cycle back on track, this patch contains the optimum nightly dose of proven natural sleep aids like Valerian root, skullcap, purple passionflower – shown to support you getting a restful night.

3. Topping up can improve your mood

Mood disorders like depression and anxiety often go hand in hand with low levels of magnesium. It's thought this is because the neurons in your brain need magnesium to function optimally. If you don't get enough, neurons can be damaged, which can manifest itself as depression or GAD.  Research has shown taking supplements with magnesium can be very effective in treating depression (often alongside other therapies).

4. Tired of migraines? Supplements with magnesium might be the answer

Looking for a cure for migraine misery? Magnesium could be it! There's still a great deal of research into why magnesium can help to treat and prevent migraine, but some scientists believe that magnesium blocks signals in the brain that trigger migraines. It seems to be especially effective in treating migraines with aura, so if this is you, try popping on a magnesium patch when you feel a headache coming on.

5. Increasing your magnesium intake will also boost your cardiovascular health

Supplements with magnesium will also help your heart stay healthy. That's because magnesium helps keep your heart cells happy, by helping to maintain the cell membranes and mitochondria and transporting electrolytes like calcium and potassium into your heart. Some studies have shown magnesium could also help to prevent and reverse plaque formation in arteries too – wow!

6. More magnesium means better muscle recovery and less stiff joints

Fed up with tight, sore joints after a workout? Magnesium could help with this too! After exercise, your muscles contract and can feel painful and be more prone to injury. If you take magnesium, it blocks the calcium uptake in your muscles, which helps them to loosen and relax. You'll feel better, and you're muscles will go into recovery mode faster – double win!