Magnesium: The Forgotten Mineral Your Body Runs On

Magnesium used to be everywhere. It flowed in the rivers, soaked into the soil, and showed up in the food our ancestors lived on. Nobody thought about “supplements” because they didn’t have to — their world was mineral-rich by default.

Fast forward to today, and that whole chain is broken.

Soil is stripped by industrial farming.
Water treatment filters out minerals.
Processed food replaced organ meats and shellfish.

The result? Most people are walking around magnesium deficient without even knowing it.

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Why Magnesium Actually Matters

Magnesium is like the quiet electrician in your body. It doesn’t get the hype, but without it, the lights don’t turn on. It’s a cofactor in over 300 reactions — which means if you’re low, your whole system drags.

Energy → no magnesium, no ATP (your cell’s energy currency).
Nerves → keeps your brain signals calm instead of fried.
Muscles → prevents cramps, spasms, and restless legs.
Blood sugar → keeps insulin sensitivity sharp.
Sleep → activates GABA so your brain can finally chill.

In short: it’s the mineral that keeps the current flowing.

Why Most of Us Are Running Low

Our ancestors never had to think about magnesium because their environment took care of it. Ours doesn’t.

Depleted soil = weaker crops.
Filtered water = mineral-free.
Processed diets = no organ meats, no shellfish, no wild greens.
Stress + caffeine + alcohol = magnesium gets burned out even faster.

No wonder so many people are anxious, restless, and exhausted.

The Different Forms of Magnesium (And What They Do)

Not all magnesium works the same. Each form hits differently:

Glycinate → the calm one (sleep, relaxation, anxiety relief).
Malate → the energy one (muscles + mitochondria).
Citrate → the bathroom one (helps digestion, can loosen stools).
Threonate → the brain one (focus, memory, mood).
Chloride → the topical one (sprays and oils, absorbed through skin).
Sulfate (Epsom salt) → the bath one (detox and deep chill).

So Which Form Should You Actually Take?

If you want my straight answer: start with glycinate.

Here’s why:

It absorbs really well.
It doesn’t wreck your stomach like citrate can.
It’s the best for calming your nervous system and improving sleep.

That said, if you want to cover all the bases → a blend of glycinate, malate, and threonate is next-level. Glycinate helps you relax, malate helps you recharge, and threonate fuels your brain.

My go-to recommendation: Trace Mineral Magnesium Glycinate for a clean, simple start. Or if you want full coverage: Trace Minerals ConcenTrace Blend

If you enjoy baths, this is my favorite and high-quality purity: Ancient Minerals Magnesium Bath Flakes

Signs You’re Probably Low in Magnesium

Cramping or twitchy muscles
Anxiety, racing mind
Trouble sleeping
Brain fog
Chocolate cravings (yep, that’s real)
Low energy or fatigue
Constipation

Sound familiar? It’s not that you’re broken. Your cells are just thirsty for conductivity.

How to Rebuild Your Magnesium

Eat nose-to-tail → organ meats, shellfish, dark greens if your body tolerates it.
Use mineral-rich salts → Redmond Real Salt, Celtic Sea Salt.
Supplement smart → glycinate for daily use, blends if you want more coverage.
Absorb through your skin → sprays, oils, or a long Epsom salt bath.
Cut the junk → seed oils + processed food make your body burn through magnesium faster.

Magnesium isn’t a luxury add-on. It’s the quiet power source running your whole system.

Our ancestors got it for free. We lost it to industrial farming, filtered water, and fake food. Rebuilding your magnesium is one of the simplest ways to reset your energy, calm your brain, and get your body working like it’s supposed to.

Don’t overcomplicate it. Get more real food. Add back the minerals. Supplement if you need to. Your body will thank you — with better sleep, calmer nerves, and energy that actually lasts.

Sources:

Volpe, S. L. “Magnesium in disease prevention and overall health.” Advances in Nutrition, 2013. [PMC3775240]
Gröber, U., et al. “Magnesium in prevention and therapy.” Nutrients, 2015. [PMC4586582]
DiNicolantonio, J. J., O’Keefe, J. H., & Wilson, W. “Subclinical magnesium deficiency: a principal driver of cardiovascular disease and a public health crisis.” Open Heart, 2018. [PMC5786912]
Barbagallo, M., & Dominguez, L. J. “Magnesium and aging.” Current Pharmaceutical Design, 2010.
Cuciureanu, M. D., & Vink, R. “Magnesium and stress.” Neuropharmacology, 2011.
Kirkland, A. E., et al. “A systematic review on the neurocognitive effects of magnesium.” Nutrients, 2018. [PMC6329606]
Schuette, S. A., et al. “Bioavailability of magnesium sources: a review.” Journal of the American College of Nutrition, 1994.