The Top Magnesium Advantages and How It Can Help You

 

We all need a bit of help from time to time. Chances are that after an intense workout session you are experiencing severe cramps, fatigue, tremors, palpitations, or weakness. Guess what. Most likely there’s nothing really wrong with you. But rather, you are one of the many Australians who suffer from a small magnesium deficiency, which can be solved via supplementation with magnesium malate.

Magnesium deficiency is tiring and complex, as it often starts with subtle, hard-to-notice symptoms that can be mistaken for poor sleep, stress, or normal fatigue caused by psychological factors. Which one of us hasn’t experienced some anxiety or irritability from time to time? A shaky leg, elevated blood pressure, or trouble concentrating?

It’s A Widespread Problem

These are, after all, common symptoms that have an endless supply of causes behind them. But, if you are working out consistently, you are dehydrated, and you don’t follow up with a workout regimen with proper electrolytes, maybe, just maybe, your unwanted symptoms are a consequence of a magnesium deficiency.

I was there as well a couple of years ago, and it’s not exactly pleasant. In my case, the issues I was experiencing started with a diagnosis of ulcerative colitis and a change in my dietary habits. I lost a lot of weight, which was not bad for my overall health. But I started having issues with my blood’s natural baseline of charged minerals. Magnesium, alongside sodium, started to become a real headache for me, and the truth is that I’ve only felt better once I invested in magnesium malate. It wasn’t a breakthrough in the very sense of the word but I must admit that at least in my case, it made a difference.

Why Magnesium Malate?

Well, it’s simple. When it comes to magnesium advantages, this form, bound with malic acid, presents the most benefits. Malic acid plays a direct role in the Krebs cycle, which is the process utilised by your cells in order to produce energy. Adenosine triphosphate, commonly shortened to ATP, can be looked at as the energy level inside your body’s cellular system. ATP is made of Adenine, Ribose and three phosphate groups, and it's constantly regenerated inside the cells.

Malic acid, inside the body, is converted into oxaloacetate, which has a role in the production of NADH, a molecule that carries the electrons required to produce ATP in the cell’s mitochondria. Is this too complicated to follow? Yes, I think so too. Basically, what it boils down to is this:

Your cells need ATP in order to function properly, and you can look at ATP as a sort of biological battery. Malic acid is one of the fuels required for the Krebs cycle, which in turn, contributes to the production of the NADH and FADH2 molecules, which are like the electrical wire that charges the ATP batteries necessary for biological energy.

Ok, But What About the Magnesium Advantages?

Well, you see, on its own, malic acid is not exactly enough for the proper deployment of the ATP process. Without magnesium, ATP can’t exactly release the energy stored, so the process stalls. Magnesium, if you want, is like the sparkplug inside a car. It kick-starts combustion, but the main fuel is the malic acid. But that’s not all. Magnesium is required for hundreds of enzymes all over your body and helps both in the Krebs cycle as well as in glycolysis.

This is precisely why supplementation with magnesium malate is a fantastic idea if you’re experimenting with the keto diet. Magnesium deficiency in ketosis can worsen the efficiency of ketone utilisation, and thus, negatively affect the percentage of excess water you’re expected to lose.

Yes, the keto diet works even if you’re deficient in some electrolytes like magnesium. In fact, since you’ll lose considerable amounts of water, it’s pretty much a given that at some point you will reach a point at which your body’s magnesium and sodium levels are low. That said, magnesium malate, in a supplement form, can make the ketosis process more effective, which should be visible when you weigh yourself.

Not Only Relevant For ATP

While the role of magnesium malate in ATP cannot be overstated, the truth is that the majority of magnesium advantages go a bit under the radar. Magnesium can restore muscle function after intense exercise. There are studies that concluded it can alleviate cramps, and it’s perfectly safe for pretty much anyone. But what makes the malate-bound form of magnesium the preferred choice for most supplements? Well, honestly, it’s a matter of absorption. Magnesium bound with malic acid is better absorbed by the body than other forms.

It's also recommended for fibromyalgia, it’s gentle on the stomach, and it also doesn’t have the same laxative effect as magnesium oxide or citrate. But ultimately, it depends on what you’re looking for. When it comes to magnesium advantages, the form bound with malic acid is often recommended as a supplement for the keto diet, as it supports ATP production and restores proper muscle function. The malic acid binds to the magnesium, which in turn helps the mitochondria produce energy. It’s great, therefore, for chronic fatigue and soreness.

You Can Choose from Many Options

Other forms of magnesium, such as magnesium glycinate, on the other hand, are better if you are suffering from insomnia or stress, and you are looking for something that can support the body’s natural circadian rhythm and regulate mood. On the other side of the pond, magnesium oxide is a strong laxative that can be used for chronic constipation, while magnesium L-threonate is often recommended for restoring cognitive support and aiding memory.

That’s the thing with magnesium advantages. Supplements come in many forms, and sometimes it’s hard to pick what’s right for your situation. But, if you want to keep it simple and go for a supplement that will both restore your body’s energy levels and support the production of new muscle fibres, a good choice would be to select malic acid-bound magnesium. Plus, it’s not that expensive, and it’s widely available in Australia.