Magnesium for Weight Loss: A Dietitian’s Take

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Magnesium is a crucial mineral that the body needs to function correctly. It is among the essential electrolytes the body requires as cells use magnesium to synthesize enzymes and initiate chemical reactions in the body.

Though magnesium is present in many food groups such as nuts, leafy greens, beans, and seeds, magnesium deficiency is common in people. Despite its numerous associated health benefits, you might be wondering whether you can use magnesium for weight loss.

This article will assess magnesium’s functions and health benefits, its effect on weight loss, and the possible associated health risks.

What Is Magnesium?

Magnesium is an important mineral that plays a role in over 300 enzyme reactions in the body. The human adult body has 25g of magnesium. 50–60% of it is stored in bones, and the rest is in body fluids and muscles.

It helps the body in bone development, muscle contraction, conducting nerve impulses, and transporting calcium and potassium throughout the body. Research also suggests that magnesium plays a role in DNA synthesis and normal heart rhythm.

Magnesium deficient people experience a range of health complications, and it is crucial to get the daily recommended dose for healthy bodily functions. If you cannot get sufficient magnesium doses through diet, opt to get a magnesium supplement under a doctor’s prescription.

Magnesium-rich foods

You can meet your daily recommended magnesium intake by consuming magnesium-rich foods. These include:

• Avocados
• Nuts
• Legumes
• Seeds such as chia, flaxseeds, and pumpkin seeds
• Whole grains
• Fatty fish such as salmon and mackerel
• Leafy green vegetables, such as kale, spinach, lettuce, cabbage, and microgreens
• Bananas
• Tofu
• Low-fat dairy products
• Dark chocolate

If you have a magnesium deficiency, you may get more magnesium through supplements. However, you should get enough from your diet if you have no major health problems.

10 Types of Magnesium

There are 10 magnesium types present in food products and dietary supplements. These include:

• Magnesium citrate
• Magnesium sulfate
• Magnesium oxide
• Magnesium taurate
• Magnesium lactate
• Magnesium glycinate
• Magnesium chloride
• Magnesium malate
• Magnesium orotate
• Magnesium L-threonate

Each magnesium type has different properties depending on medical uses, potential side effects, and how easily the body absorbs them.

Most magnesium types are available in supplements and are sold in different delivery systems as pills, powders, or gummies. The delivery system doesn’t matter, but you can opt for easily absorbed types, such as magnesium citrate.

Magnesium citrate is the most common type of magnesium, usually found in various supplements. It is also used to treat constipation due to the laxative effect.

Magnesium and Water Retention

Increasing magnesium intake may help reduce water retention. It also helps alleviate premenstrual syndrome and bloating. If you notice some parts of your body, such as your hands or feet, swollen, it could be due to fluid retention.

Magnesium affects the hormonal balance of fluids, thus allowing the body to get rid of excess fluids. This reduces fluid buildup in the body, helping you achieve a healthy weight.

The most common type of magnesium used to get rid of water retention is magnesium oxide (MgO).

4 Magnesium Benefits for Weight Loss

Magnesium is present in certain foods, and it has numerous beneficial effects on weight loss. It helps produce energy and boost athletic performance. This mineral is essential for bodily functions and helps prevent chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and Alzheimer’s.

Below are some of the benefits of magnesium on weight loss.

#1 Improves sleep quality

Magnesium supplements are used as a natural remedy for sleep-related issues like insomnia. This is because they help regulate the neurotransmitters involved in sleep. Chemically, it activates the parasympathetic nervous system, getting you calm and relaxed.

A systematic review on magnesium supplementation for adults suggests that people with enough magnesium in the body fall asleep faster by an average of 17 minutes. It also regulates melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep-wake cycles.

It helps relax muscles and quiet the nervous system, thus preparing the body for sleep. Sleep deprivation is associated with gaining body weight and making your body metabolically groggy. One feels hungrier and less satisfied after meals leading to eating habits.

Sleep deprivation causes an increased risk of low insulin sensitivity, thus making it hard for your body to process fats from the bloodstream. The body ends up storing them as fats.

#2 May help boost athletic performance

During exercise and strenuous activities, your body needs magnesium more than when it is resting. When exercising, your muscles use magnesium to move glucose around the body and dispose of lactic acid that builds up during exercise.

It also helps improve the exercise performance of old individuals looking to lose weight through working out. Magnesium deficiency leads to muscle soreness, seizures, fatigue, and cramps affecting athletic performance.

#3 Natural mood and energy booster

Magnesium is a natural mood and energy booster that helps treat anxiety and depression disorders. Randomized studies in a controlled trial showed that magnesium alleviates depressive symptoms in as low as two weeks.

Magnesium boosts the mood partly because of activity in the glands that regulate the body’s reaction to stress.

#4 Regulates blood sugar

Magnesium is crucial in blood sugar management. It helps improve insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism. Most people with type 2 diabetes have magnesium deficiency as they lose a high amount of this nutrient through urine.

A meta-analysis among a control group of patients showed that regular magnesium supplementation reduced chronic inflammation, led to fat loss, and helped lower the body mass index. All this helps regulate blood sugar and lower blood pressure.

By assisting in regulating blood sugar levels, magnesium helps one lose weight. These effects depend on how much magnesium you are getting from food.

Magnesium supplements also do not improve blood sugar levels in diabetes patients that are not magnesium deficient.

Possible Side Effects of Magnesium

Most people who take magnesium supplements do not experience adverse side effects. However, high magnesium levels can cause gastrointestinal problems such as constipation, abdominal cramping, nausea, and diarrhea.

Taking too much magnesium causes buildup in the body that can cause low blood pressure, loss of control in the central nervous system, urine retention, irregular heartbeat, slow breathing, or even a coma.

People with kidney issues are more likely to experience adverse health effects from taking magnesium supplements. Kidneys that don’t function properly have problems in clearing magnesium from the system, and taking more supplements will allow magnesium to build up to toxic levels.

It may also be unsafe when taking diuretics, heart medications, and antibiotics. Check with your healthcare provider first to assess your health condition before opting for any magnesium supplements.

FAQs

Below are some of the frequently asked questions concerning magnesium for weight loss.

Conclusion

Magnesium is essential for numerous body functions. It is also associated with a reduced risk of diabetes, heart disease, and other conditions. You can get it from dietary sources or supplements.

Though magnesium on its own does not lead to weight loss, it supports various activities in the body that result in weight loss. The best way to lose weight is by making lifestyle changes such as starting regular exercise and healthy eating habits.

Despite all the benefits of magnesium, speak to a licensed healthcare practitioner for medical advice before using magnesium for weight loss.