The Top 8 Benefits of Magnesium for Humans and Pets

You may have heard of the benefits of magnesium for humans and pets, but do you know why? Magnesium is an essential mineral that the human body needs to function properly. One way to make sure you get enough magnesium is to add a magnesium supplement. I take a magnesium supplement, and I also give my dogs magnesium as a part of their dietary supplements, especially for the health benefits magnesium does for their bone health.

Here are the top 5 benefits of magnesium.

Magnesium Can Help Reduce Inflammation

Inflammation is a broad term used to describe the body’s response to injury or disease. When the body is inflamed, it is trying to heal itself. However, sometimes inflammation can become chronic, lasting for months or even years. Chronic inflammation has been linked to a number of diseases, including heart disease and arthritis. Magnesium has anti-inflammatory properties and can help reduce inflammation in the body. (1)

This all applies to our pets as well since they suffer from the same types of inflammatory diseases we do.

Magnesium Improved Heart Health

Magnesium has been shown to improve heart health in a number of ways. It helps to regulate blood pressure levels and keeps the heart rhythms regular. It also helps to prevent atherosclerosis, which is the hardening of the arteries. All of these effects work together to reduce the risk of heart disease and improve overall cardiovascular health. (2)

This all applies to our pets as well since they are also susceptible to heart disease.

Magnesium Can Help Improve Muscle Function

Magnesium is involved in over 300 biochemical reactions in the body, including muscle contraction and relaxation. A lack of magnesium can lead to muscle cramps and weakness. Studies have shown that magnesium supplementation can improve muscle function in people with magnesium deficiency. (3)

Again, This all applies to our pets as well since they also need magnesium for proper muscle function.

Magnesium Better Bone Density

Magnesium is essential for keeping bones healthy and strong. It helps with calcium absorption and keeps bones from deteriorating as we age. Getting enough magnesium can help to prevent osteoporosis and keep bones strong and healthy throughout our lives. (4), (5), (6)

Yes, again, this applies to our pets as well since they are also susceptible to osteoporosis.

Magnesium Can Help Improve Sleep Quality

Magnesium has a calming effect on the body and can help reduce anxiety levels. A lack of magnesium has been linked to sleeplessness and insomnia. Magnesium supplementation can improve sleep quality in people with magnesium deficiency. (7),(8),(9)

Magnesium Can Help Reduce Migraine Frequency

Migraine is a debilitating condition that affects millions of people worldwide. A migraine attack can cause severe headaches, nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound. Magnesium has been shown to reduce the frequency of migraines in some people. (10), (11)

Magnesium Can Help Lower Blood Pressure

High blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease, stroke, and kidney failure. Magnesium helps relax blood vessels and can lower blood pressure in people with hypertension. (12), (13), (14)

This all applies to our pets as well since they are also susceptible to high blood pressure.

Magnesium Improved Mood and Brain Functioning

Magnesium plays an important role in brain function and has been shown to improve moods, memory, focus, and overall cognitive functioning. It’s also thought to help protect against Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. (15), (16), (17)

The decline in cognitive functioning and dementia are conditions our pets are faced with too.

Conclusion:

As you can see, there are many benefits of magnesium for humans and pets. If you think you or your pet may be deficient in magnesium, talk to your doctor, vet, or holistic practitioner about supplementation. You can also contact me for any issues you may have with your pet here.

Citations

(1) Jamilian M, Mirhosseini N, Eslahi M, Bahmani F, Shokrpour M, Chamani M, Asemi Z. The effects of magnesium-zinc-calcium-vitamin D co-supplementation on biomarkers of inflammation, oxidative stress and pregnancy outcomes in gestational diabetes. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2019 Mar 29;19(1):107. doi: 10.1186/s12884-019-2258-y. PMID: 30922259; PMCID: PMC64400. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30922259/

(2) DiNicolantonio JJ, O’Keefe JH, Wilson W. Subclinical magnesium deficiency: a principal driver of cardiovascular disease and a public health crisis. Open Heart. 2018 Jan 13;5(1):e000668. doi: 10.1136/openhrt-2017-000668. Erratum in: Open Heart. 2018 Apr 5;5(1):e000668corr1. PMID: 29387426; PMCID: PMC5786912. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29387426/

(3) Garrison SR, Allan GM, Sekhon RK, Musini VM, Khan KM. Magnesium for skeletal muscle cramps. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2012 Sep 12;2012(9):CD009402. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD009402.pub2. Update in: Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2020 Sep 21;9:CD009402. PMID: 22972143; PMCID: PMC7025716. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22972143/

(4) Rondanelli M, Faliva MA, Tartara A, Gasparri C, Perna S, Infantino V, Riva A, Petrangolini G, Peroni G. An update on magnesium and bone health. Biometals. 2021 Aug;34(4):715-736. doi: 10.1007/s10534-021-00305-0. Epub 2021 May 6. PMID: 33959846; PMCID: PMC8313472. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31691193/

(5) Farsinejad-Marj M, Saneei P, Esmaillzadeh A. Dietary magnesium intake, bone mineral density and risk of fracture: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Osteoporos Int. 2016 Apr;27(4):1389-1399. doi: 10.1007/s00198-015-3400-y. Epub 2015 Nov 10. PMID: 26556742. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26556742/

(6) Launius BK, Brown PA, Cush EM, Mancini MC. Osteoporosis: The dynamic relationship between magnesium and bone mineral density in the heart transplant patient. Crit Care Nurs Q. 2004 Jan-Mar;27(1):96-100. doi: 10.1097/00002727-200401000-00010. PMID: 14974529. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14974529/

(7) Cao Y, Zhen S, Taylor AW, Appleton S, Atlantis E, Shi Z. Magnesium Intake and Sleep Disorder Symptoms: Findings from the Jiangsu Nutrition Study of Chinese Adults at Five-Year Follow-Up. Nutrients. 2018 Sep 21;10(10):1354. doi: 10.3390/nu10101354. PMID: 30248967; PMCID: PMC6212970. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30248967/

(8) Nielsen FH, Johnson LK, Zeng H. Magnesium supplementation improves indicators of low magnesium status and inflammatory stress in adults older than 51 years with poor quality sleep. Magnes Res. 2010 Dec;23(4):158-68. doi: 10.1684/mrh.2010.0220. Epub 2011 Jan 4. PMID: 21199787. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21199787/

(9) Chan V, Lo K. Efficacy of dietary supplements on improving sleep quality: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Postgrad Med J. 2022 Apr;98(1158):285-293. doi: 10.1136/postgradmedj-2020-139319. Epub 2021 Jan 13. PMID: 33441476. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33441476/

(10) Chiu HY, Yeh TH, Huang YC, Chen PY. Effects of Intravenous and Oral Magnesium on Reducing Migraine: A Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Pain Physician. 2016 Jan;19(1):E97-112. PMID: 26752497. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26752497/

(11) Dolati S, Rikhtegar R, Mehdizadeh A, Yousefi M. The Role of Magnesium in Pathophysiology and Migraine Treatment. Biol Trace Elem Res. 2020 Aug;196(2):375-383. doi: 10.1007/s12011-019-01931-z. Epub 2019 Nov 5. PMID: 31691193. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31691193/

(12) Zhang X, Li Y, Del Gobbo LC, Rosanoff A, Wang J, Zhang W, Song Y. Effects of Magnesium Supplementation on Blood Pressure: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trials. Hypertension. 2016 Aug;68(2):324-33. doi: 10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.116.07664. Epub 2016 Jul 11. PMID: 27402922. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27402922/

(13) Schutten JC, Joosten MM, de Borst MH, Bakker SJL. Magnesium and Blood Pressure: A Physiology-Based Approach. Adv Chronic Kidney Dis. 2018 May;25(3):244-250. doi: 10.1053/j.ackd.2017.12.003. PMID: 29793663. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29793663/

(14) Kass L, Weekes J, Carpenter L. Effect of magnesium supplementation on blood pressure: a meta-analysis. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2012 Apr;66(4):411-8. doi: 10.1038/ejcn.2012.4. Epub 2012 Feb 8. PMID: 22318649. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22318649/

(15) Slutsky I, Abumaria N, Wu LJ, Huang C, Zhang L, Li B, Zhao X, Govindarajan A, Zhao MG, Zhuo M, Tonegawa S, Liu G. Enhancement of learning and memory by elevating brain magnesium. Neuron. 2010 Jan 28;65(2):165-77. doi: 10.1016/j.neuron.2009.12.026. PMID: 20152124.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20152124/

(16) Al-Ghazali K, Eltayeb S, Musleh A, Al-Abdi T, Ganji V, Shi Z. Serum Magnesium and Cognitive Function Among Qatari Adults. Front Aging Neurosci. 2020 Apr 15;12:101. doi: 10.3389/fnagi.2020.00101. PMID: 32351381; PMCID: PMC7174684. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32351381/

(17) Chui D, Chen Z, Yu J, Zhang H, Wang W, Song Y, Yang H; Liang Zhou. Magnesium in Alzheimer’s disease. In: Vink R, Nechifor M, editors. Magnesium in the Central Nervous System [Internet]. Adelaide (AU): University of Adelaide Press; 2011. PMID: 29920010. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29920010/

Need help with your pet?

Do you have health issues that you cannot resolve with conventional therapies? Are you looking for a natural approach to help your pet live a long healthy life?

This is possible, and what I do. My approach is to restore the immune system in dogs and cats so they can achieve homeostasis. That is the best protection against pathogens that can lead to diseases.