Magnesium Glycinate -- What Is It?

Magnesium glycinate is a somewhat new creation in the world of dietary supplements. Most people haven't yet heard of it. Magnesium supplements in general though have been around for a very long time. Magnesium is one of those essential metals in the human body, like iron, and you definitely don't want to be deficient in it. But studies have shown that a growing number of persons is actually magnesium deficient. The reason why it's difficult to pin down a magnesium deficiency is because the symptoms are somewhat general, like insomnia, irritability, muscle cramps, and so on. So you can see why it would be easy to live with a magnesium deficiency and not know it.

Magnesium glycinate is gaining recognition as a more effective supplement than its magnesium counterparts. The reason why this form of magnesium supplement is very effective is because magnesium glycinate is a combination of an essential amino acid and magnesium. Glycine is an amino acid, and when bonded with magnesium, creates magnesium glycinate, which the body very easily absorbs. Because of the fact that many magnesium supplements are difficult for the body to absorb, they can cause ailments like diarrhea or the opposite, constipation. Magnesium glycinate is special because it is much more bio-available that many other types of magnesium supplements available.

So how do you know if a magnesium dietary supplement is right for you? In the next section we'll talk about all of the vast functions of magnesium in the body, and how getting your daily recommended intake is very important.

Magnesium is absolutely essential to the body. Are you aware that magnesium is involved in over 300 different chemical reactions inside the body? Here are a few of the more important functions of magnesium:

1. Magnesium is involved in healthy teeth and bones. This is because magnesium helps to regulate the absorption of calcium, but is also involved in proper bone construction. Many bones are built "improperly" by the body because of magnesium deficiency and end up brittle. Needless to say, magnesium deficiency has been linked to things like osteoporosis. So magnesium glycinate is definitely a bone healthy supplement.

2. The concentration of magnesium in the heart is almost 20 times greater than the concentration of magnesium in the bloodstream. That should tell you something important. I said earlier that one of the symptoms of magnesium deficiency was muscle spasms. Since the heart is essentially a muscle, a magnesium deficiency there can bring about the onset of coronary spasms. So magnesium gycinate is definitely a heart healthy supplement.

3. Magnesium naturally relaxes the body as well. It has a therapeutic effect on many different areas of the body. Those of you who have ever taken a magnesium supplement know what this feels like. I've taken it before to help me fall asleep, and it definitely does the trick. Beyond that, one of the symptoms of magnesium deficiency is sleeplessness, so using magnesium to help correct insomnia might be a perfect idea.

4. Magnesium is also essential to the formation of proteins. If you've read any of my other articles, you know how big a deal protein is inside the body. According to one source that I often quote, each of your cells is producing 2,000 proteins every second. That's right, every second. Sounds impossible. But in order for proteins to be produced, magnesium must be present.

**This article is meant for your general knowledge and is not meant to be taken as a medical diagnosis or as medical advice.