The Magnesium Miracle: Why 80% of Us Are Deficient (And How to Fix It)

Imagine a master switch in your body controlling everything from muscle contractions to stress regulation to blood sugar balance. That switch? It’s magnesium — the essential mineral quietly powering over 300 biochemical reactions.

Yet, up to 80% of adults aren’t getting enough magnesium, and most don’t even realize it.

Today’s stressful lifestyles, soil depletion, and modern diets have triggered what researchers call a “hidden deficiency epidemic.” But the good news is: with the right information and approach, you can restore your magnesium levels and reclaim better wellbeing.

In this article, we’ll dive into:

  • Why magnesium deficiency is so common today
  • The five critical systems magnesium supports
  • Why form matters for absorption
  • How to test and dose effectively
  • Why Ablabs’ 3-in-1 magnesium complex is a game-changer

Let’s fix the magnesium gap once and for all.

1. Why Magnesium Deficiency Is So Widespread

Magnesium wasn’t always hard to come by. Just a few generations ago, diets naturally supplied plenty — but modern agriculture and lifestyle changes have stacked the odds against us.

Key Causes of Deficiency:

1. Soil Depletion

Thanks to modern farming practices, the soil that grows our food has been stripped of key minerals, especially magnesium.

USDA Data: Over the past 100 years, magnesium levels in U.S. soil have dropped by about 30–40%, reducing the magnesium content of fruits and vegetables we rely on.

2. Chronic Stress

Stress hormones, like cortisol, deplete magnesium rapidly. The more stressed you are, the more magnesium your body uses — creating a vicious cycle of depletion and dysfunction.

3. Medications

Certain common medications — like diuretics, proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs), and antibiotics — can interfere with magnesium absorption or increase excretion.

4. Modern Diets

Highly processed foods are stripped of magnesium. Meanwhile, high sugar intake and excessive alcohol consumption further deplete magnesium stores.

The Bottom Line:

Even with a "healthy" diet, you could still be deficient — and your body is paying the price.

2. 5 Critical Bodily Functions Magnesium Supports

Magnesium isn’t optional — it’s essential to life. Let’s look at five key areas magnesium impacts daily:

1. Sleep Quality

Magnesium regulates neurotransmitters like GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid), which help quiet the nervous system and prepare the body for restful sleep.

GABA Study Citation:
 A 2012 double-blind, placebo-controlled study in The Journal of Research in Medical Sciences showed that magnesium supplementation improved sleep efficiency and sleep time by influencing GABA pathways.

Magnesium won’t “treat insomnia,” but low levels can contribute to restless nights.

2. Stress Response

Magnesium helps regulate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis — your body’s main stress management system.

When magnesium is low:

  • Cortisol stays elevated longer
  • Stress symptoms worsen
  • Recovery from daily stressors slows down

3. Muscle Function

Magnesium plays a key role in:

  • Muscle contractions
  • Relaxation
  • Nerve signaling

Deficiencies can result in cramps, spasms, and impaired muscle recovery.

4. Blood Sugar Balance

Magnesium assists in insulin signaling and glucose metabolism.

Blood Sugar Data:
 A meta-analysis in Diabetes Care (2011) found that higher magnesium intake was associated with a 15–23% lower risk of developing impaired glucose metabolism.

While magnesium isn’t a substitute for diet and exercise, it’s an important co-factor for maintaining stable blood sugar levels.

5. Heart Health

Your heart is a muscle — and like all muscles, it depends heavily on magnesium for proper function. Magnesium helps regulate heart rhythm, vascular tone, and blood pressure maintenance.

3. Not All Magnesium Is Created Equal: Oxide vs. Citrate vs. Glycinate

If you’ve ever bought a magnesium supplement and been disappointed with the results (or the side effects), the form could be to blame.

Dosage Table by Pet Weight

Pet Weight (lbs) Fenbendazole Dosage (mg/day)
2–10 lbs 50 mg
11–20 lbs 100 mg
21–40 lbs 200 mg
41–60 lbs 300 mg
61–80 lbs 400 mg
81–100 lbs 500 mg

Note: Typical protocol involves daily dosing for 3 consecutive days. Always follow veterinarian guidance for your pet’s specific needs.

  • Magnesium Oxide is often found in cheap supplements. While it contains a high amount of elemental magnesium, very little is absorbed — and it often leads to digestive upset.
  • Magnesium Citrate improves absorption but can still cause loose stools at higher doses.
  • Magnesium Glycinate is the gold standard: it’s gentle, highly bioavailable, and doesn't upset the stomach for most people.

Absorption Matters:

Bioavailability — how much magnesium your body actually absorbs — is more important than how many milligrams the label says.

4. How to Test Your Magnesium Levels (and Dose Properly)

You can’t manage what you don’t measure. Testing magnesium status is more nuanced than just a basic blood test.

Why Serum Magnesium Tests Fall Short

  • Only 1% of the body’s magnesium is found in the blood.
  • Standard blood tests can appear “normal” even when deficiency is present.

The Better Option: RBC Magnesium Test

An RBC (red blood cell) magnesium test measures the magnesium inside your cells — where it’s actually needed for biological processes.

Optimal RBC Magnesium Range:
 Most experts suggest aiming for 6.0–6.5 mg/dL for optimal functional health, even if the lab "normal" range is broader.

Magnesium Dosing Recommendations:

Deficiency Severity Suggested Daily Dose
Mild/Preventative 200–400 mg elemental magnesium
Moderate Deficiency 400–600 mg elemental magnesium
Severe Deficiency 600–800 mg (under practitioner guidance)

Note: Always split doses to improve absorption and minimize digestive discomfort — e.g., morning and evening.

Start low and build gradually, especially if you’re using forms like citrate which can affect bowel movements.

The Ablabs Advantage: 3-in-1 Magnesium Formulation

At Ablabs, we recognized that no single form of magnesium meets all needs. So, we created a 3-in-1 magnesium complex designed for comprehensive support.

🔬 What’s Inside:

  • Magnesium Glycinate: For maximum absorption without digestive upset.
  • Magnesium Citrate: For bioavailability and metabolic support.
  • Magnesium Malate: Linked to energy production and muscle recovery.

This unique blend offers:

  • Superior absorption rates
  • Broad support for muscles, metabolism, and stress balance
  • Reduced risk of digestive issues

🚫 What’s NOT Inside:

  • No fillers
  • No artificial colors
  • No magnesium oxide

Third-party tested for purity, potency, and consistency — because quality matters when you’re rebuilding foundational health.

Conclusion: From Deficiency to Vitality

Magnesium powers your body’s core operations — yet it’s a mineral that’s often missing in modern lives.

With today’s depleted soils, chronic stress, and nutrient-stripped diets, deficiency is common — but not inevitable.

Prioritize:

  • Testing with an RBC magnesium test
  • Choosing highly absorbable forms like glycinate and malate
  • Supplementing smartly with a high-quality blend like Ablabs 3-in-1 Magnesium Complex