By: IPP Bureau
Last updated : August 27, 2026 1:41 pm
Magnesium is the fourth most abundant mineral in the human body and is involved in more than 300 enzymatic processes
Functional medicine company iThrive has released a new white paper titled “Magnesium in Motion: A Dynamic Study of Supplement Absorption,” examining the role of magnesium in human health, the implications of inadequate levels, and the relevance of supplementation and testing.
The report highlights that magnesium is the fourth most abundant mineral in the human body and is involved in more than 300 enzymatic processes.
Beyond its commonly recognised role in muscle relaxation and sleep, magnesium contributes to several physiological functions, including nerve conduction, muscle contraction, cardiac activity, glucose regulation, bone formation, protein synthesis and DNA repair.
According to the white paper, the recommended daily allowance for adults aged 19–50 is around 400–410 mg for men and 310–320 mg for women, while pregnant women require at least 350–360 mg per day.
The report examines how the body absorbs, stores and regulates magnesium. Around 30–50% of dietary magnesium is absorbed in the small intestine, while the large intestine, particularly the caecum and colon, contributes to further regulation of absorption.
Approximately 50–60% of the body's magnesium is stored in bones, with another 20–30% found in muscle and the remainder distributed across other tissues.
The kidneys play a central role in maintaining magnesium balance, filtering approximately 2,400 mg of magnesium each day and reabsorbing most of it. Around 100 mg is reportedly excreted through urine, while approximately 120 mg is lost through faeces.
The white paper also examines different forms of magnesium supplementation, including magnesium oxide, citrate, glycinate and chloride. It highlights magnesium bisglycinate as a highly bioavailable chelated form and discusses the growing interest in such formulations.
The report explores magnesium’s potential relevance to cardiovascular health, bone mineral density, glucose tolerance, migraine prevention, mood regulation and sleep quality. It also discusses associations between inadequate magnesium levels and conditions including insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease and migraine.
Another focus of the report is magnesium testing. It distinguishes between serum magnesium testing, which reflects circulating magnesium levels at a given time, and red blood cell magnesium testing, which may provide a different perspective on magnesium status over a longer period.
Mugdha Pradhan, Founder and CEO, iThrive, said, “We are committed to regularly examining the science behind different nutrients and bringing together the available research in a way that offers deeper, evidence-based insights.”
Pradhan added that understanding nutrition should go beyond simply determining whether an individual is consuming enough of a nutrient.
“The real question is how it is absorbed and utilized by our body,” she said.