How Magnesium Glycinate Supports Better Heart, Brain and Mental Health

Magnesium is an essential mineral that plays a crucial role in various bodily functions, and one of its most bioavailable forms is magnesium glycinate. It stands out as a promising supplement for promoting better heart, brain, and mental health. Adding magnesium intake from these top dietary sources can help you meet your daily recommended dietary amounts of Magnesium:

• Spinach
• Pumpkin Seeds
• Lima Beans
• Tuna 
• Brown Rice 
• Almonds
• Dark Chocolate
• Avocados 
• Non-Fat Yogurt
• Bananas 

However, approximately half of the American population fails to meet the recommended daily magnesium intake of 320-420 mg, with men over 70 displaying the lowest magnesium consumption. 

As an owner of an independent pharmacy, Yellowstone Pharmacy of Forsyth, where we are deeply committed to promoting health and wellness; I've witnessed firsthand the transformative impact of mindful supplementation. In this article, we'll explore the remarkable benefits of magnesium glycinate and its role in fostering better heart, brain, and mental health – a subject close to my heart as a healthcare advocate. 

Magnesium and its Forms:

Magnesium is an essential mineral involved in numerous bodily functions. While magnesium can be obtained through diet, some individuals may not consume enough, leading to potential deficiencies and therefore requiring additional supplementation for optimal health.

Magnesium comes in different forms, including salt forms like magnesium oxide and magnesium citrate as well as chelate forms like magnesium glycinate. Salt forms are produced by combining magnesium with other substances, like oxygen (in the case of magnesium oxide) or citric acid (in magnesium citrate). They are often affordable and have high magnesium content, but they can sometimes cause stomach upset and have lower absorption rates. Chelate forms, on the other hand, bind magnesium to amino acids or organic acids, potentially improving absorption and reducing the risk of stomach discomfort. While chelate forms may be more expensive, they offer better absorption and gentler effects on the stomach compared to salt forms like magnesium oxide. 

How Magnesium Glycinate Supports Heart Health

Magnesium plays a pivotal role in cardiovascular health. Magnesium glycinate is a special kind of magnesium that's really good for our heart. When we take magnesium glycinate, it helps our body in many ways. One important thing it does is it helps our heart muscles work well. Our heart is like a pump that sends blood all around our body. Magnesium glycinate helps this pump work smoothly and keeps our heart beating steadily. It also does something cool—it helps the smooth muscles of our heart relax. Our heart has muscles that need to contract and relax at the right times to pump blood effectively. Magnesium glycinate helps with this relaxing part, which is important for a healthy heart. It works hand in hand with calcium, another mineral our body needs. Calcium helps our heart muscles contract, while magnesium glycinate helps them relax. So, taking magnesium glycinate can be really good for our heart health because it supports the important jobs our heart does every day, like keeping a steady beat and pumping blood around our body efficiently.

Considering that high blood pressure stands as a notable cardiovascular risk factor, magnesium glycinate emerges as a potential key player in its regulation. Magnesium glycinate facilitates the relaxation of blood vessels, diminishing resistance in arteries, thereby promoting smoother blood flow. This, in turn, contributes significantly to sustaining healthy blood pressure levels, emphasizing the multifaceted benefits of magnesium glycinate in cardiovascular well-being.

Magnesium Glycinate's Role in Enhancing Brain Function

Magnesium glycinate distinguishes itself as a more optimal form to support cognitive function due to its potential to traverse the blood-brain barrier. This unique characteristic enhances its bioavailability in the brain, allowing it to play a vital role in bolstering memory, concentration, and overall brain health.

Magnesium is like a brain booster that helps our thinking and memory. When we have enough magnesium in our body, it helps our brain work better in many ways. One important thing it does is it helps nerve signals travel smoothly in our brain, kind of like making sure messages are sent and received properly. This means we can think clearly and remember things better. Magnesium also helps our brain make new connections between nerve cells, which is important for learning new things and solving problems. Additionally, magnesium helps regulate important chemicals in our brain, like neurotransmitters, which are like messengers that help our brain cells communicate with each other. So, having enough magnesium in our body can really support our brainpower and help us think sharper and remember more.

Magnesium Glycinate and the Path to Mental Well-Being

Magnesium glycinate goes beyond helping the brain – it also supports our mental well-being. Magnesium has a calming effect on our nerves, and when combined with glycine, it becomes a powerful team with stress reducing potential as it may be more likely to cross the blood brain barrier compared to other forms.

Magnesium may play a crucial role in supporting mental health, particularly through its interaction with a neurotransmitter called gamma-aminobutyric acid, or GABA for short. GABA is like a calming messenger in our brain that helps reduce feelings of stress and anxiety. When we have enough magnesium in our body, it helps activate GABA receptors in our brain, which means GABA can do its job better. This helps calm down our nervous system and can make us feel more relaxed and less anxious. So, magnesium acts like a helper for GABA, making sure it can work properly to keep our mood balanced and our mind calm. When we're low on magnesium, it can disrupt this process, leading to feelings of anxiety or stress. Therefore, ensuring we have enough magnesium in our body can be really important for maintaining good mental health and emotional well-being.

Drug Interactions 

It’s also important to note that some classes of medications may decrease the absorption or increase the excretion of Magnesium. For example: 

Classes that decrease the absorption of Magnesium

• Proton Pump Inhibitors (omeprazole, esomeprazole) 
• Antacids (Tums) 
• H2 Antagonists (cimetidine, famotidine) 
• Tetracycline Antibiotics (doxycycline) 
• Bisphosphonates (alendronate) 

** Separating dosing administration of Magnesium supplementation may be necessary, consult with a healthcare professional.

Classes that increase excretion of Magnesium

• Thiazide Diuretics (Furosemide) 

** Magnesium supplementation may be warranted, consult with a healthcare professional

Magnesium glycinate stands out as a potent form of magnesium with notable benefits for heart health, brain function, and mental well-being. By unlocking these benefits, individuals may experience improved overall health and a better quality of life. If you're looking to incorporate magnesium glycinate into your routine, our independent pharmacy is here to assist you. Our commitment to your well-being extends to providing access to high-quality supplements.

As with any supplement, it's important to consult with a healthcare professional before starting a magnesium glycinate regimen to ensure it aligns with individual health needs and conditions.