Magnesium
is an essential mineral nutrient for life. It is present in every cell
type in every organism and is vital to the well being of all
organisms.* Adult human bodies contain about 24 grams of magnesium,
with 60% in the skeleton, 39% intracellular (20% in skeletal muscle),
and 1% extracellular.
ATP
(adenosine triphosphate), the main source of energy in cells, must be
bound to a magnesium ion in order to be biologically active.* Over 300
enzymes require magnesium ions in order to function*. Magnesium in one
of its various forms (ie: gluconate, malate, orotate, magnesia, citrate
etc) can be found in common laxatives, antacids (i.e., milk of
magnesia), and can be used in a number of situations where
stabilization of abnormal nerve excitation and blood vessel spasm is
required.*
The
average adult human daily nutritional requirement is set to 300-400 mg
per day of elemental magnesium. Inadequate magnesium intake frequently
causes muscle spasms, and has been associated with cardiovascular
disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, anxiety disorders, migraines,
osteoporosis and cerebral infarction[1]*. Human magnesium deficiency
(including conditions which show few overt symptoms) is relatively
common, with only 32% of the United States meeting the RDA-DRI,[2] and
has been implicated in the development of a number of human illnesses
such as asthma, osteoporosis, and ADHD.[3]*
Due
to its basic struction/function, magnesium may effect muscle relaxation
through direct action on the cell membrane.* With the addition of
magnesium, more channels may be blocked and the nerve may have less
activity which could help support the body in reducing the
itching/crawling sensations commonly noticed during periods of rest or
sleep.*
According
to a randomised, double-blind study, done in 2003, scientists found
Magnesium citrate to be more bioavailable than oxide or amino-acid
chelate (glycinate) forms[4].*
References:
1.
Larsson SC, Virtanen MJ, Mars M, et al (March 2008). "Magnesium,
calcium, potassium, and sodium intakes and risk of stroke in male
smokers". Arch. Intern. Med. 168 (5): 459–65.
doi:10.1001/archinte.168.5.459. PMID 18332289.
2. "Lack Energy? Maybe It's Your Magnesium Level". United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved on 2008-09-18. Last paragraph
3. University of Maryland Medical Center. Magnesium
4. Walker AF, Marakis G, Christie S, Byng M (September 2003). "Mg
citrate found more bioavailable than other Mg preparations in a
randomised, double-blind study". Magnes Res 16 (3): 183–91. PMID
14596323. 
