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.
