by Matt Jarosy
Everything You Need To Know On Magnesium Glycinate
Magnesium glycinate (or bisglycinate) is a highly bioavailable form of magnesium made by chelating magnesium to the amino acid glycine. Chelated magnesium is a unique preparation method that offers increased stability, better bioavailability, and less chance of impacting the digestive tract.
by Matt Jarosy
Fueling Your Mitochondria: Make More Energy
Mitochondria are membranous, slightly elongated structures contained within the cytoplasm of almost all eukaryotic cells. Using aerobic respiration, they take oxygen and the compounds in our food to make energy (in the form adenosine triphosphate, known as 'ATP'). Each cell contains the appropriate amount of mitochondria relative to its energy use. That means organs such as the heart contain a lot of mitchondria, infact each cell of your heart contains around 5000 mitochondria. When we lose mitochondria or they begin to malfunction, it can increase our risk of 'dis-ease'. It is thought that mitochondria were originally independent bacterial entities which at some point over a billion years ago (through much trial and error) entered other bacterial cells and decided to partner up. This moment was monumentous, you could argue this was the beginning of complex life as we know it. Two important cycles that occur within the mitochondria for energy production are the the tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA) and the electron transport chain (ECT). Think of these like factory lines, they need to be flowing freely in order for energy to be generated efficiently. During normal oxidative phosphrlation (whereby ATP is formed by electron transfer) about 2 percent of the oxygen consumed is converted to superoxide (a type of free radical). This is where nutrition comes, anti-oxidants from our diet help to mop up the free radicals formed by energy production. Unfortunately, making energy comes with exhaust. So what do mitochondria need to function properly? Magnesium: In order for ATP be 'activated', it needs to form a complex with magnesium. B Vitamins: These are like the workers on the factory line, helping to pass energy from one cycle to another. Each B vitamin has a specific role, for example riboflavin (B2) plays a key role in shuttling electrons from the TCA and cobalamin (B12) is needed to generate s-adenosyl methionine (SAMe) which is part of the protein sub unit that makes up the ECT. COQ10: You can think of COQ10 as the oil in the factory, it helps to keep things running smoothly. It can regenerate free radicals and soothe them back into the ECT. PQQ: Otherwise known as pyrroloquinoline quinone, helps control redox processes in the mitochondrial, essentially balancing oxidative stress as well as stimulating energy production. B3: We need B3 or niacinamide to manufacture NADH (energy carrier) and to supply protons for oxidative phosphorylation. Copper: Copper is a cofactor in the ECT so that ATP can be released, it also plays a key role in mitochondrial signaling and mitophagy. Given mitochondria's role in the body, mitocondrial may be the key to unlocking the process of aging itself. According to this theory, with age, mitochondria accumulate ROS-induced damage and become dysfunctional. With time, the function of cells declines causing aging and subsequent death. Many things can induce oxidative stress in humans, including not having the necessary cofactors for making energy. Remember, making energy makes exhuast. The more we can buffer this exhaust, the better.
by Matt Jarosy
How Stress Affects Your Magnesium Levels
How Stress Affects Your Magnesium Levels One of the most common questions we’re asked is: do we need more magnesium when we’re stressed? The short answer is yes — but to understand why, we first need to look at what happens in the body when we experience stress. The Physiology of Stress Stress has a profound and immediate effect on the body. When we face physical or emotional challenges, the sympathetic nervous system — often called the “fight or flight” system — activates to prepare us for action. This response releases hormones like adrenaline and cortisol, increases heart rate and blood pressure, and diverts blood flow to the muscles and brain. Calcium floods into our muscles to prepare for contraction, glucose is mobilised from energy stores, and cortisol keeps energy levels stable over time. This is a remarkable and necessary adaptation — one that has allowed our species to survive. Without cortisol, we wouldn’t even be able to wake up in the morning. However, while stress is essential in short bursts, it is also highly energy-intensive and places significant demands on key nutrients — especially magnesium. Magnesium: The Energy Mineral Magnesium is required for over 300 enzymatic reactions in the human body, including those responsible for energy production, muscle relaxation, and nervous-system regulation. Every molecule of ATP — the body’s main energy currency — must be bound to magnesium to be biologically active. Without magnesium, energy metabolism simply can’t function properly. Magnesium is the fourth most abundant mineral in the body and the second most concentrated inside our cells. It’s within these cells that most of our energy processes take place. During stress, the increased energy demand leads to a greater turnover of magnesium, meaning we use up our reserves more rapidly. How Stress Depletes Magnesium Research consistently shows that stress and magnesium deficiency reinforce each other — each one worsening the effects of the other. When stress hormones rise, urinary magnesium excretion increases, effectively flushing this essential mineral from the body. This creates a vicious cycle: the more stressed you are, the lower your magnesium levels become, which in turn makes your nervous system more reactive to stress. A 2018 review in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences highlighted how acute stress elevates plasma magnesium levels temporarily but also increases urinary loss shortly after. Over time, this can lead to hypomagnesemia — low magnesium levels in blood and tissue. This depletion is associated with a range of stress-related conditions including migraines, fibromyalgia, anxiety, and chronic fatigue. Because magnesium plays such a vital role in nerve and muscle function, deficiency can intensify symptoms of tension, irritability, and sleep disturbance — all of which are common under chronic stress. Recognising Daily Stress Stress isn’t limited to emotional strain. It can be physical (intense exercise, lack of sleep, or illness), mental (work pressure, relationships), or environmental (noise, pollution, or light exposure). Each stressor triggers a similar hormonal cascade and uses up magnesium in the process. Take a moment to think about your daily life — caffeine, tight schedules, training sessions, and screens late at night. Each of these adds small but cumulative stress loads. Supporting your magnesium status helps buffer these everyday demands and maintain nervous-system equilibrium. How to Replenish Magnesium Naturally The first step to restoring magnesium levels is through food. Excellent dietary sources include: Leafy green vegetables (ollard greens) Avocados, bananas, and fruits Soaked nuts and seeds (pumpkin, sunflower, almonds) Dark chocolate (70% or higher) Magnesium can also be obtained from natural mineral water in the form of magnesium bicarbonate or magnesium chloride, though most modern tap water contains very little. Unfortunately, soil depletion and industrial agriculture have reduced magnesium content in many foods, making supplementation a valuable complement to diet. Transdermal Absorption and Relaxation One of the most soothing ways to boost magnesium is through the skin. Bathing with magnesium chloride flakes allows the mineral to be absorbed transdermally — directly into the bloodstream. Many people find magnesium baths incredibly relaxing, both physically and mentally, as they deliver magnesium efficiently while also activating the parasympathetic (“rest and digest”) system. Think of it as a natural “reset” — you’re replenishing magnesium while simultaneously calming the very system that stress activates. Choosing the Right Magnesium Supplement When it comes to supplementation, not all magnesium forms are equal. Some forms, such as magnesium oxide, have poor absorption and can irritate the gut. The most effective and gentle options are chelated forms such as bisglycinate, malate, and taurate. At ELIVIDE, we offer several clean, additive-free formulations designed for specific goals. Our Magnesium Bisglycinate Food is ideal for relaxation and sleep support, while Magnesium Malate Food supports energy production and recovery. Each serving provides 130–160 mg of elemental magnesium, blended with organic evaporated coconut water for improved hydration and mineral synergy. Be cautious when comparing supplement labels — some brands list the total compound weight (including what magnesium is bound to) rather than the actual elemental magnesium content. What matters is how much usable magnesium your body receives, not the total tablet weight. Integrating Magnesium into Your Daily Routine To support resilience and reduce stress reactivity: Include magnesium-rich foods at each meal. Consider evening supplementation with magnesium bisglycinate to support calm and sleep. Take regular magnesium baths or use topical sprays for added support. Stay hydrated and minimise stimulants like caffeine that deplete magnesium. Practice relaxation techniques (breathing, walking, time outdoors) to reduce the body’s demand for stress-related magnesium turnover. Stress and magnesium are intimately linked — each influencing the other. Chronic stress increases magnesium loss, while magnesium deficiency heightens stress sensitivity. Maintaining optimal magnesium levels supports calm, balanced energy, and a healthy nervous system. By eating well, staying hydrated, and choosing bioavailable magnesium forms such as bisglycinate or malate, you can strengthen your resilience and protect your body from the physiological wear and tear of modern life. It’s a simple step with profound effects on overall wellbeing.
by Matt Jarosy
Low Magnesium and Its Impact on the Body
Magnesium often gets labelled as the “relaxation mineral”, but its role extends far beyond stress relief. It’s required for hundreds of enzymatic reactions that regulate energy, muscle function, and cellular balance. While most people know magnesium is essential, few realise the deeper implications of long-term deficiency. Let’s explore how low magnesium affects key systems throughout the body. Cardiovascular System The heart is one of the most magnesium-dependent organs in the body. It requires a constant supply of energy to maintain rhythmic contractions and electrical activity. Magnesium works in tandem with calcium — calcium triggers contraction, while magnesium allows relaxation. When magnesium levels drop, calcium regulation becomes impaired, increasing the likelihood of vascular stiffness and arterial calcification. Low magnesium levels are also linked with elevated blood pressure, arrhythmias, and endothelial dysfunction. As calcium accumulates in cells, arteries become prone to vasospasms, reducing elasticity and oxygen flow. Magnesium deficiency can also lower the membrane potential through sodium and calcium imbalance, disrupting the heart’s normal electrical rhythm. This is why adequate magnesium intake is so critical for cardiovascular health and overall vascular resilience. Inflammation and Immune Response Magnesium deficiency impacts the immune system in multiple ways. One major effect is reduced production of glutathione, the body’s master antioxidant. When glutathione synthesis declines, oxidative stress rises and calcium builds up inside cells. This cascade triggers the release of inflammatory cytokines and interleukins, which can damage the endothelial lining and promote chronic inflammation. Low magnesium also weakens the immune system’s ability to respond to viral challenges. Research suggests that insufficient magnesium can impair natural killer cell function and increase the likelihood of latent viral reactivation, including Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Maintaining magnesium sufficiency supports balanced immune activity, helping the body regulate inflammation without tipping into overactivation. Conversion Pathways and Vitamin D Magnesium is a required cofactor for the activation and metabolism of vitamin D. Without enough magnesium, the body struggles to convert vitamin D from its inactive storage form (25-hydroxyvitamin D) to its active hormonal form (1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D). This conversion is essential for calcium homeostasis, immune modulation, and bone integrity. When magnesium is deficient, even high doses of vitamin D supplementation may not function as intended. This explains why individuals with low magnesium sometimes experience persistently low active vitamin D levels despite supplementation. During periods of stress or infection, when vitamin D activation should increase, magnesium deficiency can blunt this protective response. Liver Function and Detoxification The liver is a high-energy organ, performing thousands of chemical reactions every hour to neutralise toxins, regulate hormones, and process nutrients. These reactions depend on ATP — and ATP must be bound to magnesium to be biologically active. In low magnesium states, ATP synthase activity is reduced, which directly impairs detoxification capacity. Research shows that low magnesium status is common in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and that supplementation may help improve liver enzyme balance and reduce oxidative stress. Magnesium also appears to protect against bile duct ligation-induced liver injury by stabilising cell membranes and reducing inflammatory infiltration. In short, magnesium is indispensable for efficient liver detoxification and metabolic stability. Magnesium Deficiency and Modern Living Chronic stress, poor soil mineral content, caffeine, and certain medications (such as proton-pump inhibitors or diuretics) all contribute to low magnesium intake or increased excretion. Over time, this cumulative depletion can affect multiple systems — cardiovascular, immune, neurological, and hepatic. Symptoms like muscle tightness, fatigue, poor sleep, or heightened stress response often trace back to suboptimal magnesium status. Dietary sources such as leafy greens, soaked nuts and seeds, avocados, and whole grains remain foundational, but modern diets rarely supply enough. Supplementing with well-tolerated forms like Magnesium Malate Food or Magnesium Bisglycinate Food can help restore balance, support energy metabolism, and counteract the physiological drain of modern stressors. Both of these forms are fully reacted chelates, additive-free, and blended with organic evaporated coconut water for mineral synergy, a hallmark of our clean, bioavailable formulations. Maintaining healthy magnesium levels is one of the simplest yet most effective ways to support the heart, calm inflammation, optimise vitamin D function, and sustain detoxification. It’s not a quick fix, it’s a foundational element of long-term resilience and cellular balance.
by Matt Jarosy
The Different Forms of Magnesium & Reading Labels
When shopping for magnesium supplements, it’s easy to be misled by numbers on the label. At ELIVIDE, we list the net elemental magnesium content on all of our magnesium supplements.
by Matt Jarosy
Why I Started ELIVIDE – Redefining Purity in Supplements
When I first set out to create ELIVIDE, my goal was simple: to design supplements that truly respect human biology and the environment. After years of studying nutrition and working with clients, I became increasingly frustrated by how disconnected the supplement industry had become from nature.
