As a doctor of chiropractic, you probably see the symptoms of magnesium deficiency every day: patients suffering from muscle cramps, fatigue, irritability, poor sleep and chronic tension.
The effects of magnesium deficiency involve multiple organs and systems because magnesium is involved in more than 300 biochemical reactions in the body, influencing everything from muscle and nerve function to energy production, mood regulation and bone health. 48% of US adults may not meet the recommended daily intake, according to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.1
For DCs in clinical practice, this means magnesium insufficiency is likely affecting a significant percentage of patients; often without obvious signs until symptoms manifest.
Magnesium Glycinate 500 mg from Dee Cee Laboratories offers DCs a research-backed, premium-quality, highly absorbable solution that helps address these issues at the biochemical level.
What is subclinical deficiency?
It is possible for patients to achieve ideal magnesium levels through diet. Foods rich in magnesium include several types of roasted nuts, black beans, lima beans, edamame, quinoa, shredded wheat, low-fat milk and yogurt, dark, leafy greens such as spinach and Swiss chard, several types of fruits and veggies and dark chocolate. However, the average American diet does not include enough magnesium-rich foods, and other factors can impact absorption and further reduce the amount taken in, including certain health conditions and medications.
Subclinical magnesium deficiency, levels that are decreased but not low enough to qualify as deficient, may present itself in patterns: a female patient in her 40s with stress, headaches and disrupted sleep. A weekend athlete with persistent muscle tightness. Or a patient experiencing escalating fibromyalgia, anxiety or TMJ-related discomfort.
According to the Cleveland Clinic,2 certain groups of people are at higher risk for subclinically deficient magnesium levels, including individuals who are older than age 60, abuse alcohol, have digestive disorders such as Crohn’s or celiac disease, or have Type 2 diabetes, and could be good candidates for magnesium supplementation.
Patients taking certain medications, such as diuretics or proton-pump inhibitors, may also have lowered magnesium levels. (Always ask patients to list all prescription and non-prescription medications, as well as other supplements they already take, as you prepare to make supplement recommendations so you can check for interactions.)
Why magnesium glycinate rather than oxide or citrate?
With magnesium, formulation makes a measurable difference in absorption and outcomes.
Magnesium oxide, for example, has been shown to deliver very low absorption and often causes gastrointestinal distress. Magnesium citrate improves absorption but can produce laxative effects; in fact, this formulation is sometimes marketed as a product intended for constipation relief.
Magnesium glycinate, a chelated form that binds magnesium to the amino acid glycine, offers superior absorption along with excellent tolerance. A 2019 study published in the journal Nutrients3 found magnesium glycinate absorbed more efficiently than other varieties whether subjects had fasted or not, taking 37 minutes to release 80% of its magnesium supply, with 100% released in less than two hours after administration.
Glycine itself also plays a role in calming the nervous system. As an inhibitory neurotransmitter, it helps regulate neuromuscular excitation and contributes to the relaxing effect often noted by patients taking this form of magnesium.
Magnesium, stress and chronic tension: the hidden connection
A growing body of research links magnesium deficiency to heightened stress responses, anxiety and pain. The nervous system depends on magnesium to regulate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, and low levels are associated with both elevated cortisol and increased sympathetic activity.
A 2024 randomized crossover trial published in Medical Research Archives4 showed magnesium glycinate supplementation significantly improved sleep quality, mood and heart-rate variability—a key marker of parasympathetic tone—in adults experiencing sleep disturbances.
These outcomes suggest magnesium glycinate may be especially well-suited for patients presenting with:
- Jaw clenching or temporomandibular joint-related pain
- Chronic upper back or neck tension
- Fibromyalgia or widespread pain
- Insomnia and anxiety-related complaints
A 2022 meta-analysis5 further confirmed magnesium supplementation—especially in deficient individuals—can reduce symptoms of mild anxiety and low mood, findings that offer support for its clinical use in stress-related conditions.
Why recommend Dee Cee’s Magnesium Glycinate?
As a practitioner-trusted brand, Dee Cee Laboratories is well-known for its commitment to clinical-grade quality, consistency and transparency. Magnesium Glycinate 500 mg is:
- Chelated to support maximum absorption
- Manufactured in-house to cGMP standards
- Third-party tested for potency and purity
- Free of gluten, soy and common allergens
These quality markers ensure you can recommend the product to your patients confidently, knowing they are receiving a premium supplement designed for efficacy, safety and comfort.
Pairing a top-quality magnesium supplement like Magnesium Glycinate 500 mg with your expert advice on when and how to take it will help your patients feel better faster. It also forms a solid foundation for you to design a custom supplementation plan built on each patient’s unique clinical needs and health goals.
Final thoughts on fixing magnesium deficiency
Correcting magnesium deficiency is a simple fix that can lead to dramatic improvements in how a patient feels, both physically and emotionally. With this one daily addition, patients may experience fewer and less frequent muscle cramps or tightness, longer and more restful sleep, reduced anxiety, less stress-related pain and fewer headaches.
Magnesium Glycinate 500 mg from Dee Cee Laboratories is a smart foundational supplement that supports nervous system balance, musculoskeletal health and whole-patient resilience. If you’re a DC who often treats patients with complex conditions or high levels of stress, it should become a staple of your clinical toolkit.
ALLISON M. PAYNE is the associate editor of Chiropractic Economics.
References
- US Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. Usual nutrient intake from food and beverages, by gender and age, What We Eat in America, NHANES 2013-2016; 2019. https://www.ars.usda.gov/ARSUserFiles/80400530/pdf/usual/Usual_Intake_gender_WWEIA_2013_2016.pdf. Accessed June 20, 2025.
- Cleveland Clinic Health Essentials. Signs you might have a magnesium deficiency. Cleveland Clinic. Published October 5, 2022. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/feeling-fatigued-could-it-be-magnesium-deficiency-and-if-so-what-to-do-about-it/. Accessed June 18, 2025.
- Blancquaert L, et al. Predicting and testing bioavailability of magnesium supplements. Nutrients. 2019;11(7):1663. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6683096/#sec5-nutrients-11-01663/. Accessed June 18, 2025.
- Breus MJ, et al. Effects of magnesium glycinate on sleep quality and autonomic nervous system regulation. Medical Research Archives. 2024;12(7). https://esmed.org/MRA/mra/article/view/5410/. Accessed June 18, 2025.
- Boyle NB, et al. The effects of magnesium supplementation on subjective anxiety and stress—a systematic review. Nutrients. 2022;14(8):1638. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28445426/. Accessed June 18, 2025.
