· By PYM STORE
What are the best types of magnesium for stress and anxiety?
If you’re experiencing stress and anxiety regularly and can’t put your finger on what it may be, you may want to take a look at your magnesium intake.
Magnesium is a mineral that is essential for a healthy body and mind.
When it comes to the body, magnesium is integral to processes such as:
- Regulating muscle function
- Regulating nerve function
- Regulating blood sugar levels
- Regulating blood pressure
- Making protein
- Making bones
- Making DNA
And when it comes to the mind, magnesium plays a role in mental health. Studies show that a deficiency in magnesium is linked to depression, irritability, and stress.
That’s because magnesium resides on the synapse that connects neurons and helps them communicate with each other. Invading that space are calcium and glutamate, whose job it is to activate the NMDA receptor by exciting the nerves. There are times when this excitement is good for brain function, but it’s also important to know that glutamate can also excite nerve cells to death via excitotoxicity.
That’s where magnesium comes in.
Magnesium works to block both calcium and glutamate’s ability to excite the nerves which, in turn, helps to calm both the brain and the body. Magnesium also helps to block the activation of ACTH – the hormone that triggers the body to release cortisol and adrenaline.
And that explains how magnesium got its nickname of “chill pill.”
If you feel like you could use some more chill in your life, then consider adding magnesium to your daily regimen.
However, when shopping for magnesium to add into your life, it’s important to understand that there are a number of different kinds of magnesium and each one serves a different purpose that your body can benefit from.
We’ve gathered loads the research and information on magnesium and put it all in one place for you to reference whenever you need.
The different types of magnesium
There are more than 10 different kinds of magnesium that exist. That can feel pretty overwhelming, so we are going to focus on a few main ones that are the most important to your physical and mental health.
Glycinate
This form of magnesium provides your body with glycine, which is an essential amino acid that your brain needs to aid in neurotransmitter functions. It is known have a high bioavailability (meaning that it is known be absorbed by the gut successfully).
Magnesium glycinate has been shown in studies to improve sleep quality which is great news for those who struggle with sleep and want to stick to natural remedies.
Additional preliminary research shows that magnesium glycinate helps increase the levels of magnesium in brain tissue, so you get that extra boost that may help with anxiety and stress.
Citrate
This is one of the most common types of magnesium and is often the one you find in different magnesium powders.
Magnesium citrate is a saline laxative, so it’s ideal for those who suffer with constipation and other digestion issues.
However, this means the bioavailability of this form of magnesium is not particularly high, which means it likely won’t cross the blood-brain barrier.
So, if you’re looking to magnesium to alleviate stress and anxiety, citrate is likely not the one.
Threonate
Magnesium threonate has been shown to aid in a variety of different bodily functions including:
- Bone and muscle function
- Protein and fatty acid formation
- B-vitamin activation
- Blood clotting
- Insulin secretion
- ATP formation
Studies also show this form of magnesium’s efficacy when used for mental health conditions such an anxiety, and it is commonly used as a natural relaxant. On top of that, magnesium threonate research has proven it helps with learning and memory.
Threonate is a more expensive kind of magnesium and requires a higher dosage than other kinds, but in our opinion, it’s worth is for the benefits you stand to gain.
Malate
This kind of magnesium is a combination of magnesium and malic acids. This combo is known to be beneficial when it comes to conditions that cause the neuromuscular system to become over-excited. This includes issues such as chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia.
Studies show that this form of magnesium comes with an added bonus: it has higher bioavailability than other formations.
Which form of magnesium is best for sleep, stress, and anxiety?
If you’re looking to enjoy the relaxing benefits of magnesium (a.k.a the “chill pill”) then you want to stick to:
- Magnesium glycinate
- Magnesium threonate
- Magnesium malate
There are plenty of benefits to enjoy from the other forms of magnesium, but the above three play the biggest role in aiding with stress and anxiety. All three have the most science-backed research and studies to back up their effects on stress, anxiety, and sleep. If you are looking to improve your mental well-being, supplementing these types of magnesiums could help you achieve your mental wellness goals.
Rather than having to shop for three different kinds of magnesium in order to give your mental health a boost, PYM has made it easy for you by creating one product that provides you with the three key kinds of magnesium: Mood Magnesium.
We provide you with these forms of magnesium in a delicious yuzu flavored powder that can easily be mixed into water to enjoy any time of day. We suggest 1-2 hours before bed for the added bonus of a sleep aid, but you may find earlier in the day works better for you.
Summary
Magnesium is an essential mineral that, surprisingly, many people are deficient in. That deficiency has been shown to link to issues with depression, stress, and anxiety.
So, a great way to help improve those issues is by incorporating magnesium into your life. However, it’s important to know the different kinds of magnesium and how they work to ensure that you’re getting the type that will best benefit your brain health.
To aid with sleep, stress, and anxiety, reach for these three kinds of magnesium:
- Magnesium glycinate
- Magnesium threonate
- Magnesium malate
You can get all of these quickly and easily with our Mood Magnesium powder.