The 6 Best Magnesium Supplements for Every Need and Body

You likely know magnesium is a mineral. But what exactly does it do for you? In short, a whole lot.“Magnesium helps maintain a healthy heart rate, so you literally can’t live without it,” says Kim Yawitz, R.D., gym owner of CrossFit 26 in St. Louis, Mo. “But heartbeat aside, magnesium plays a key role in more than 300 chemical reactions in the body. It’s involved in DNA repair, protein synthesis, bone health, fluid and electrolyte balance, bone health, energy production, and muscle contraction—just to name a few.”

As Yawitz explains, because magnesium plays a role in so many important bodily functions, it’s not surprising that a low dietary intake could lead to health problems. “Studies have linked low magnesium intake with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, inflammation, heart disease, stroke, migraine headaches, asthma, and colon cancer,” she says.

Before turning to magnesium supplements, tweaking your diet to contain more magnesium-rich foods may be a good move. “The best way to get enough magnesium is to eat lots of nuts, seeds, leafy greens, whole grains, and legumes,” says Yawitz. “But if you’re among the estimated 60 percent of adults who don’t do that, a supplement can help you to cover your bases.”

Unfortunately, as Yawitz shares, it’s actually pretty difficult to diagnose magnesium deficiency. “It doesn’t always show up on a lab test, because most magnesium is stored in the bones.”

As always, consult with a healthcare professional before adding a new supplement to your routine.

Magnesium supplement benefits

With that being said, the active set may particularly benefit from magnesium supplements. “There’s some evidence that athletes may need more magnesium than less active adults, possibly because the body uses more magnesium during exercise,” says Yawitz. “In one small study, magnesium supplements appeared to help reduce muscle damage after a multistage bike race. Overall, though, the research is mixed on whether supplements are helpful for exercise performance.”

In healthy adults, Yawitz also points out, there’s some evidence that magnesium supplements may improve sleep and mood in those prone to insomnia and depression.“In one meta-analysis, adults taking magnesium supplements fell asleep an average of 17 minutes faster and slept 16 minutes longer per night than those taking a placebo,” she says. “And in another large study, young adults taking magnesium reported better sleep quality than those who didn’t take it.” In yet another study, Yawitz comments, adults with mild to moderate depression saw significant improvements in depression and anxiety symptoms after taking magnesium supplements for just six weeks.

Taking magnesium supplement may be useful for those with chronic disease. “One meta-analysis also suggests that magnesium supplements could help reduce the odds of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, and other chronic illnesses by reducing systemic inflammation,” says Yawitz.

How much magnesium do you actually need every day?

Healthy adult males require about 400 to 420 milligrams (mg) of magnesium per day, says Yawitz. “Your ideal supplement dose depends on how much you’re getting through your diet,” she says, adding that an app like Cronometer can help you estimate your daily intake, so you don’t overdo it on supplements (which can cause diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and other side effects).