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Magnesium & Exercise / Physical Exertion


In Brief:

  1. Calcium contracts muscle, magnesium relaxes muscle = muscle movement.
  2. Magnesium reduces lactic acid build-up.
  3. ATP + Mg = energy for cells.
  4. Prevents excessive muscle contraction
  5. Acts against muscle tension.
  6. Regulates heart muscle rhythm thus preventing arrhythmia.

When you sweat, you lose magnesium.[1] When you flex your muscles, you need magnesium to relax them. Magnesium plays a big part in keeping you going. Calcium (the initiator of contractions) without sufficient amounts of magnesium (the initiator of relaxation) in your body can result in muscle cramps and a build up of lactic acid.[2]

So, magnesium really does have major implications with regard to athletes. How?

‘People who exercise hard have higher magnesium requirements than people who are sedentary – and if levels fall too low, it can be difficult to increase endurance levels.’[3]

An amazing fact about magnesium is its effect on the neuromuscular system – it provides more energy despite its usual role as a relaxant. If you start taking magnesium, your energy levels will go up as it helps with metabolizing glucose and it influences the formation of energy packets called ATP (adenosine triphosphate), which your cells need. Magnesium helps prevent calcium from causing excessive contraction.[4] In other words, magnesium eases your movements.

The higher the intensity of your exercise, the greater your need of magnesium becomes in order to burn glucose for making energy to meet the requirements of your straining muscles.[5]

Whether your exercise regimen is in short bursts or drawn out, adrenalin is discharged and magnesium is moved (mobilized) from your blood to your cells and vice versa. Exercise and the release of adrenalin cause magnesium to move into the body’s exercise-active regions and away from inactive sites. [6]  Without sufficient “backup” magnesium, this can be a major issue.

Magnesium is needed for the attachment of mRNA to ribosome and the activation of amino acids which help in the process of making proteins, i.e., protein production depends on optimal magnesium levels. There is a hypothesized that low magnesium levels may negatively affect the metabolism of protein, which could result in lowered strength gains in a structured workout regimen.[7]

Exercise can be dangerous for you when your body’s cells are low in magnesium. Exercise stress can be bad as it ‘causes the release of adrenaline and the sudden shift in magnesium from the cells to the blood, further lowering magnesium in cells to dangerously inadequate levels.’[8] Exercise-stress induced magnesium loss is particularly harmful to the heart as ‘magnesium in heart cells is rapidly exchangeable.’[9]

Stress from strenuous exercise on a body that is low in magnesium will lead to symptoms of magnesium deficiency manifesting.  Furthermore, when magnesium is low, exercise or training can use up the little magnesium that is available and increase your body’s need magnesium. If your level of magnesium is low enough, a burst of exercise can be the cause of cardiac arrhythmia and even be the cause of sudden death. This can happen to you regardless of your weight or fitness level.  Therefore, you should always make sure that your magnesium status is in order before starting any exercise programme. Accurate measurements of cellular magnesium levels are difficult to obtain so the best thing you can do for yourself if you plan on exercising is to supplement your diet with magnesium.


[1] Kristie Leong, M.d., “Can Magnesium Increase Exercise Endurance?” Associated Content from Yahoo! – Associatedcontent.com. [accessed: 20.12.2011] <http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2806330/can_magnesium_increase_exercise_endurance.html>.
[2] Carolyn Dean, M.D., N.D., ‘The Magnesium Miracle’,  (New York: Ballantine Books, 2007) p.70
[3] Kristie Leong, M.d., “Can Magnesium Increase Exercise Endurance?” Associated Content from Yahoo! – Associatedcontent.com. [accessed: 20.12.2011] <http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2806330/can_magnesium_increase_exercise_endurance.html>.
[4] Carolyn Dean, M.D., N.D., ‘The Magnesium Miracle’,  (New York: Ballantine Books, 2007) pp.70-1
[5] Mildred S. Seeling and Andrea Rosanoff, ‘The Magnesium Factor’, (New York: Avery Books, 2003) p.94
[6] Ibid., 95
[7] Rehan Jalalai. “Magnesium: The Multi-Purpose Mineral.” Think Muscle — Bridging the Gap Between Science and Practice. [accessed: 12.02.2011]  <http://www.thinkmuscle.com/articles/jalali/magnesium.htm>.
[8] Mildred S. Seeling and Andrea Rosanoff, ‘The Magnesium Factor’, (New York: Avery Books, 2003) p.95
[9] Ibid., 95-6
Disclaimer: All information on this website and that which may be linked to, including (but not limited to) text, graphics, images and other material are for informational purposes only. The purpose of this website is to promote broad consumer understanding and knowledge of various health topics, particularly those pertaining to magnesium deficiency and magnesium supplementation. Information garnered through this website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care professional with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment, and before undertaking a new health care regimen. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it due to something you have read on this website or information found through third-party websites.
  • About Us
    • Letter from Kader Salleh
  • Magnesium
    • How Magnesium Works >
      • Magnesium & Exercise/Physical Exertion
      • Magnesium & Headaches, Migraines and Stress
      • Magnesium & Heart Disease/Heart Attacks
      • Magnesium & Obesity, Diabetes Types I and II
      • Magnesium & Cholesterol
      • Magnesium & High Blood Pressure / Hypertension
      • Magnesium & Stroke
    • Recommended Daily Allowance
    • Magnesium Deficiency Check-List
    • Caution
  • Our Products
    • Our Source
    • Magnesium Oil >
      • How to use Magnesium Oil
      • Do's and Don'ts
    • Magnesium Flakes >
      • How to use Magnesium Flakes
    • Magnesium Lotion
    • Testimonials
    • Caution
  • FAQ
  • To Buy
    • International Customers
  • Blog
  • Contact