Magnesium: Myths and misinformation that affect the absorption of the mineral in the body, even when taken daily
Published on: Oct. 25, 2025, 3:10 p.m. | Source: Times of India
There’s a reason why magnesium is often touted as the “miracle mineral” — and the plethora of reasons comes with a long list! Magnesium is a powerful mineral that supports over 300 vital body functions, from muscle movement and sleep to energy production and anxiety reduction. It’s also known for supporting mood and boosting heart health. Yet surprisingly, many people take magnesium supplements faithfully, only to find they still don’t feel better, and may even experience side effects. Yet, even though many people take magnesium supplements daily, absorption of the mineral isn’t guaranteed.If you’ve been puzzled by this, you’re not alone.But why does that happen?It’s frustrating — but it’s not on you; it might not be your body’s fault.You might be taking it daily, hoping for big health benefits. But here’s the thing: simply sipping a magnesium supplement doesn’t guarantee your body will absorb it effectively. In fact, a host of myths and misinformation can interfere with absorption — meaning you might be getting less than you think.In fact, researchers estimate that only about 30% of dietary magnesium is absorbed in the gut. For starters, factors like choosing the wrong form of magnesium, incorrect dosage, improper timing, poor gut health, unrealistic expectations, medication interactions, underlying health issues, stress, and electrolyte imbalances — all these can blunt the benefits of supplementation or prevent them altogether.So, how to figure it all out?Let’s spill the tea.
