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Benefits of Magnesium | Nervous System & Bone Support

Discover the benefits of Magnesium for nervous system health, bone density, and muscle relaxation. Learn how this essential mineral supports over 300 enzymes.

Essential Mineral

Understanding the Benefits of Magnesium

Magnesium is the fourth most abundant cation in the human body and a critical cofactor in hundreds of enzymatic reactions that regulate energy metabolism, neuromuscular function, cardiovascular health, bone integrity, and psychological well-being. It is naturally present in many foods, available as a dietary supplement, and even found in some medicines such as antacids and laxatives.

Nature's Sunshine Magnesium provides nervous system support and assists in a variety of bodily functions. Used by several hundred enzymes in their daily tasks, Magnesium is found in the bones, soft tissues, and blood. It helps metabolize various nutrients such as vitamin C, Phosphorus, potassium, and sodium.

Despite Magnesium's essential roles, research suggests that between 56 and 68% of Americans do not obtain enough Magnesium in their diet on a daily basis to meet the recommended daily allowance. As we age, Magnesium absorption and retention can decrease, making supplementation an important consideration for many adults.

How It Works

How Magnesium Supports Your Body

Magnesium is a cofactor in more than 300 enzyme systems that regulate diverse biochemical reactions in the body, including protein synthesis, muscle and nerve function, blood glucose control, and blood pressure regulation. It is required for energy production, oxidative phosphorylation, and glycolysis—the fundamental processes that keep every cell functioning.

In the nervous system, Magnesium modulates neuronal excitability through voltage-gated Calcium antagonism and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor blockade. This helps regulate nerve signaling, synaptic transmission, and overall neurological stability.

For bone health, Magnesium is involved in bone formation and influences the activities of osteoblasts and osteoclasts. It also affects the concentrations of both parathyroid hormone and the active form of vitamin D, which are major regulators of bone homeostasis.

Calcium and Magnesium are nutritional partners and work best when taken together. This formula delivers both minerals alongside a supportive base of traditional herbs to promote proper absorption and utilization.

What's inside

Key Ingredients

Magnesium — 250 mg
Magnesium is an essential mineral and cofactor for over 300 enzymatic reactions, including ATP synthesis, muscle contraction, and electrolyte homeostasis. Research suggests that Magnesium supports nervous system function as a natural NMDA receptor antagonist, modulating synaptic transmission and neuronal excitability. Observational data from large cohort studies have found higher Magnesium intake associated with 2–3% greater bone density in women, and clinical trials including the COMB study suggest supplementation may attenuate bone loss. A 2024 systematic review in the Journal of Translational Medicine found Magnesium supplementation reduced muscle soreness, improved performance and recovery, and exerted a protective effect on muscle damage in physically active individuals. Magnesium deficiency impairs muscle relaxation, as muscles contract normally but struggle to fully release when levels are low. It is also a primary intracellular electrolyte required for sodium-potassium ATPase function, making it foundational to all electrolyte transport. Hypomagnesemia commonly co-occurs with hypokalemia and hypocalcemia, underscoring why clinical management of electrolyte imbalance routinely addresses Magnesium status.
Calcium — 40 mg
Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the human body, with more than 99% stored in bone as hydroxyapatite. It is the primary mineral constituent of bone and the most extensively studied supplement for bone density. Meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials demonstrate that Calcium supplementation may improve bone mineral density, particularly in people under 35 building peak bone mass. Combined with vitamin D, research suggests it attenuates bone loss in older adults. Calcium is also essential for both skeletal and smooth muscle contraction, operating via calmodulin-dependent activation of myosin light-chain kinase pathways. Hypocalcemia is recognized as a cause of muscle cramps, tetany, and spasms in standard medical references; correction of hypocalcemia resolves neuromuscular symptoms including cramping. As one of the seven primary electrolytes, Calcium is essential for nerve transmission, enzyme activity, and blood coagulation.
Phosphorus — 30 mg
Phosphorus is the second most abundant mineral in the human body, with approximately 85% stored in bones and teeth as hydroxyapatite alongside Calcium. Together, these two minerals form the mineral matrix that provides structural integrity and strength to the skeleton. Research recognizes adequate dietary Phosphorus as essential for bone mineralization and maintaining bone mineral density. Phosphorus also plays key roles in nervous system function—phospholipids containing Phosphorus are the primary components of neuronal cell membranes and are required for synaptic neurotransmission, while phosphate-based high-energy molecules like ATP fuel all neural signaling. It helps regulate the normal function of nerves and muscles, including the heart, and is a building block of DNA, RNA, and ATP—the body's major source of energy.
Kelp Leaf and Stem
Kelp is a brown algae rich in naturally occurring minerals, including iodine, Calcium, Magnesium, potassium, and iron. It has a long history of traditional use across cultures—Japanese, Chinese, and Pacific Northwest Indigenous peoples have incorporated Kelp into their diets and healing practices for centuries. In this formula, Kelp serves as part of the herbal base, contributing trace minerals that complement the primary mineral ingredients.
Licorice root
Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has been used worldwide as a medicine for over 4,000 years. Medicinal uses are recorded in texts such as the Assyrian Herbal (2000 BC) and the Ebers Papyrus (1600 BC). In traditional Chinese medicine, licorice appears in approximately 60% of prescriptions, where it is traditionally used as a harmonizing herb to support other ingredients in a formula. It has traditionally been used in herbal medicine to support gastrointestinal comfort and respiratory wellness.
Peppermint Leaves
Peppermint (Mentha × piperita) has been used as a remedy for indigestion since ancient Egyptian times. The herb contains menthol as its primary active constituent. In this formula, Peppermint leaves are included as part of the herbal base. The German Commission E has approved Peppermint leaf for spastic complaints of the gastrointestinal tract, and it has traditionally been valued for its carminative and digestive-comfort properties.
White willow Bark
White willow bark (Salix alba) has a medicinal history spanning more than 3,500 years. Sumerians, Egyptians, and Hippocrates all used willow bark traditionally for discomfort and general well-being. The bark contains salicin, a natural compound that is metabolized in the body. White willow bark has been traditionally used for muscle soreness and general aches across European, Native American, and Chinese herbal traditions, making it a complementary addition to this mineral formula.
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Ideal Users

Who May Benefit from Magnesium Supplementation

The benefits of Magnesium extend to a wide range of people. Because the diets of most Americans provide less than the recommended amounts of Magnesium, many adults could benefit from supplementation. Men older than 70 and teenage girls are most likely to have low intakes.

Individuals experiencing occasional muscle cramps or tension may find Magnesium particularly supportive, as it plays a direct role in muscle contraction and relaxation. Those focused on maintaining bone density may also benefit, since Magnesium influences osteoblast and osteoclast activity and is required for vitamin D activation.

Certain groups are more likely to have Magnesium inadequacy, including older adults (due to decreased absorption), individuals with gastrointestinal concerns, those with type 2 diabetes, and people on certain long-term medications such as diuretics or proton pump inhibitors.

If you're unsure whether Magnesium supplementation is right for you, our naturopath is available for a free consultation to help you evaluate your individual needs.

Directions

How to Take This Supplement

Take 1 tablet daily with a meal.

Nature's Sunshine Magnesium comes in 250 mg capsules of Magnesium oxide and Magnesium amino acid chelate. Each bottle contains 180 tablets. Taking Magnesium with food may support absorption and reduce the likelihood of digestive discomfort.

About the author

Written by Greg Howlett

GH

Greg Howlett

Founder

Greg has spent over a decade helping customers choose the right natural-health products. He personally vets every formula we carry and writes these guides to cut through the marketing noise with practical, experience-based advice.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Why is Magnesium important for the body?

Magnesium is a cofactor in more than 300 enzyme systems that regulate diverse biochemical reactions, including protein synthesis, muscle and nerve function, blood glucose control, and blood pressure regulation. It is required for energy production and is found in the bones, soft tissues, and blood. It also helps metabolize various nutrients such as vitamin C, Phosphorus, potassium, and sodium.

What are the signs of Magnesium deficiency?

Early signs and symptoms of Magnesium deficiency include loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and weakness. As deficiency worsens, numbness, tingling, muscle contractions and cramps, seizures, personality changes, abnormal heart rhythms, and coronary spasms can occur. It is estimated that between 56 and 68% of Americans do not obtain enough Magnesium in their diet to meet the recommended daily allowance.

Can Magnesium help with muscle cramps?

Magnesium plays a direct role in muscle contraction and relaxation. Magnesium deficiency impairs muscle relaxation—muscles contract normally but struggle to fully release when levels are low. While Cochrane reviews of multiple RCTs found it unlikely to provide meaningful cramp prevention in older adults with idiopathic cramps, evidence for pregnancy-associated leg cramps remains mixed. Correcting a deficiency may support normal muscle function.

Does Magnesium support bone health?

Yes. Magnesium is involved in bone formation and influences the activities of osteoblasts and osteoclasts. It also affects the concentrations of both parathyroid hormone and the active form of vitamin D, which are major regulators of bone homeostasis. Observational data from large cohort studies have found higher Magnesium intake associated with greater bone mineral density. However, further research is needed to fully define its role in osteoporosis prevention.

Why does this formula include Calcium alongside Magnesium?

Calcium and Magnesium are nutritional partners and work best when taken together. Both minerals play essential roles in bone structure, muscle function, and nerve signaling. Calcium is the primary mineral in bone, while Magnesium is required for vitamin D activation and Calcium metabolism. This formula provides both minerals in a complementary ratio.

What forms of Magnesium are in this product?

Nature's Sunshine Magnesium contains Magnesium oxide and Magnesium amino acid chelate. Magnesium oxide is the most concentrated form by weight. Magnesium amino acid chelate involves Magnesium bound to amino acids, and the absorption of Magnesium chelated with amino acids has been observed via the dipeptide transporter pathway. The formula also includes a base of Licorice root, Kelp plant, Peppermint leaves, and White willow bark.

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Benefits of Magnesium | Nervous System & Bone Support