Benefits

Bioavailability – The Mineral Chelate Difference†

The importance of bioavailability is obvious. If consuming a magnesium supplement has little effect on improving the body’s magnesium balance, there is no reason to ingest it. Signs of inferior mineral supplements include the use of cheap, poorly absorbed, rock-salt minerals like calcium carbonate and magnesium oxide (See Figure 1). These mineral forms slow and limit absorption, relying on adequate stomach acid to release magnesium ions which then enter the body via passive diffusion. And, because they tend to remain in the intestines longer, these forms of mineral supplements can cause intestinal distress such as constipation (calcium carbonate) or
diarrhea (magnesium oxide).

Reacted Magnesium provides the additional benefit of highly absorbed, Albion® mineral chelates. Albion® is the world leader in manufacturing highly bioavailable mineral chelates, a specialized form of minerals bound to amino acids. This patented process creates organic mineral compounds which use active absorption mechanisms in the gastrointestinal tract to greatly enhance mineral absorption. In a magnesium comparison study reported by Graff et al. at Weber State University, Albion®’s magnesium amino acid chelate had (See
Figure 1)5:

• 8.8 times greater absorption than magnesium oxide
• 5.6 times greater absorption than magnesium sulfate
• 2.3 times greater absorption than magnesium carbonate

In addition, other comparison studies have shown significantly superior absorption of magnesium chelates compared to other mineral forms:

• At a dose of 400 mg, magnesium chelate significantly reduced or eliminated menstrual abdominal discomfort 6
• Multiple double-blind studies found urinary excretion of magnesium chloride higher than magnesium glycinate, proving superior absorption7-9
• Magnesium glycinate is shown to have a reduced laxative effect when compared to other forms of magnesium10

Mineral chelates are gentle, “gut-friendly” minerals that do not cause diarrhea that often accompanies magnesium oxide and other rock-salt forms. Albion®’s mineral chelates have extensive clinical research proving their superior bioavailability, biologic activity, stability, and improved tolerance.

Heart Health†

Studies to date have found that magnesium supplementation maintains healthy blood pressure levels.11 Calcium is essential to the contraction of muscles, while magnesium aids muscle relaxation. Insufficient magnesium levels can contribute to constriction of the muscles in blood vessels and trigger changes in blood pressure levels. Several prospective studies have examined associations between magnesium intake and heart health. A systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective studies found that higher serum levels of magnesium were significantly associated with enhanced heart health and optimized blood flow to the heart.12

Insulin Balance†

Magnesium is integral for the transport of insulin from the bloodstream to cells. Increasing magnesium levels has been shown to maintain normal blood sugar levels. Diets with higher amounts of magnesium are associated with blood sugar balance, due to the role of magnesium in glucose metabolism. 13-15

Most investigations of magnesium intake and insulin balance have been prospective cohort studies. A meta-analysis of seven of these studies, which included 286,668 patients, found that a 100 mg/day increase in total magnesium intake promoted insulin balance by a statistically significant 15%.10 Another meta-analysis of eight prospective cohort studies that followed 271,869 men and women for an extended period of time found a significant association between magnesium intake from food and insulin balance.16

Bone Health†

Magnesium is involved in bone formation and influences the activity of osteoblasts and osteoclasts, cells responsible for the breakdown and formation of bone.17 Magnesium also impacts concentrations of parathyroid hormone and the active form of vitamin D, which are major regulators of bone homeostasis. Several population-based studies have found positive associations between magnesium intake and the state of bone strength and mineralization in men and women.18-19