Original Interview: John Adams, Reporter
Writer This Article: Lee D'Amato
Editor: Doug Elliot
Associate Editor: Helen Jahn
In this article we compare two exceptional magnesium supplements and provide you with our findings so that you can make an informed purchase decision. Proceed to learn more about Life Extension Magnesium vs Hello Health’s Magnesium Glycinate Formulation.
Magnesium is a naturally occurring substance in the human body and a necessary component in multiple biochemical functions. It makes up a particularly large part of our bones but is also a component in soft tissue, muscles, and blood. Magnesium is a cofactor – it helps your body’s enzymes carry out important processes like metabolizing food, creating proteins, controlling muscle movements, and balancing neurotransmitters.
Because this nutrient supports so many necessary bodily functions, a sufficient magnesium intake is vital to your overall health. Luckily, magnesium is present in many foods, especially seeds, nuts, beans, whole grains, and leafy greens. While you can achieve significant magnesium intake through diet alone, it’s never a bad idea to add a supplement. Magnesium supplements have been studied for their positive effects on biological processes like exercise, mood, and sleep, as well as on the circulatory, nervous, and skeletal systems. Due to their effects on muscles, they may even help to alleviate aches and pains. But which supplement is right for you? To assist your decision, here’s a head-to-head comparison of two popular magnesium supplement formulas: Life Extension Magnesium and Hello Health Happy Calm.
What are the ingredients of Life Extension Magnesium and Hello Health Happy Calm?
Supplemental magnesium comes in many forms. However, the benefits of each type are somewhat different, and the efficiency with which your body is able to absorb them varies.
Life Extension Magnesium supplements include three varieties of magnesium: magnesium oxide, magnesium citrate, and magnesium succinate. Magnesium oxide is poorly absorbed by your digestive tract, so much so that it’s not often used to treat magnesium deficiencies. Magnesium citrate, by comparison, is very well absorbed. Some studies have hinted at a link between magnesium citrate and boosted mood in depression patients, but a 2018 review found that more research is required to establish a definite connection. Magnesium succinate provides a relatively high level of elemental magnesium, and is mostly used in postpartum support. Overall, Life Extension Magnesium has a very complete but unfocused formula. It also contains multiple additives: vegetable cellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, stearic acid, and silica.
By contrast, Hello Health Happy Calm magnesium supplements have a simple, all-natural formula. They employ just one active ingredient: magnesium glycinate. Glycine is an amino acid that occurs naturally in the human body and is sometimes used as a sleep aid in and of itself. Magnesium glycinate is commonly used to alleviate anxiety and regulate heart rhythms, so it’s a great option for achieving a balanced mood and relaxation before sleep. This is a far more focused formula, directly targeting mental well-being and sleep hygiene. Hello Health Happy Calm even contains fewer additives: just a vegetable capsule, rice flour, and magnesium stearate (which is not a supplemental form of magnesium).
What are the effects of Life Extension Magnesium and Hello Health Happy Calm?
Life Extension Magnesium mostly focuses on the cardiovascular benefits of magnesium
supplements. Magnesium has been shown to lower blood pressure, which means that it reduces your risk for heart disease and stroke. In addition, some studies have suggested that it promotes lower levels of cholesterol and triglyceride, which are risk factors for cardiovascular disease when they are high. However, a recent study found no link between magnesium intake and lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels, so these results are inconclusive.
Hello Health Happy Calm supplements emphasize the mood-boosting and anxiety-reducing aspects of magnesium. As the name implies, these supplements promote happiness and composure, which may also aid in getting a good night’s sleep. However, there may be additional benefits to Hello Health Happy Calm. Magnesium supports bone health; a 2022 review found that studies support a connection between high magnesium levels and increased bone mineral density. It can also enhance athletic performance and muscular health. The body’s natural magnesium helps with muscle expansion and contraction, so it’s involved in basically every movement that you make. A study of 2,570 athletes found that those with a higher magnesium intake also tended to have higher muscle mass. Magnesium also improves your metabolism and helps decrease risk of type 2 diabetes by keeping your blood sugar low. So, you might choose Hello Health Happy Calm to improve your mood, and find that you’re benefiting in ways you didn’t even expect.
What are the potential risks and side effects of Life Extension Magnesium and Hello Health Happy Calm?
Since it’s naturally occurring both in the body and in many foods, magnesium isn’t a particularly risky supplement. However, it has some potential interactions with certain prescription drugs, and there are risks associated with higher doses of magnesium. As always, it’s important to consult with your doctor before starting a new supplement.
When taken in conjunction with blood pressure medications or calcium channel blockers, magnesium may increase the likelihood of negative side effects like dizziness, nausea, and low fluid retention. Some studies have also demonstrated that magnesium might reduce the efficacy of levothyroxine, a medication taken for hypothyroidism. Magnesium supplements might also lower absorption rates of certain osteoporosis medications and antibiotics, but they can sometimes be taken together as long as you leave sufficient time before doses.
Magnesium can have a laxative effect when taken in higher doses. The recommended daily value of magnesium is 400–420 mg per day for men and 310–320 mg per day for women. Since Life Extension Magnesium provides a higher dose of 500 mg per day, there’s a higher risk of negative side effects when compared with Hello Health Happy Calm’s more manageable dose.
Summary: Hello Health Happy Calm is the best choice for your magnesium supplement needs
With so many different magnesium supplements on the market, it can be hard to find the perfect one for you. If your primary goal in taking magnesium is to reap the cardiovascular benefits, Life Extension Magnesium is a good choice. But if you’re more interested in improved sleep hygiene, better workouts, elevated mood, and higher bone and muscle density, then you can’t go wrong with Hello Health Happy Calm. Its high absorption rate assures that you’re getting the most out of every dose, and its all-natural, vegan, gluten- and GMO-free formula means you’re not getting anything else. Plus, its dosage reduces the potential for negative side effects. So, if you’re interested in the many health benefits of a magnesium supplement, Hello Health Happy Calm is all around the best option for you.
Further references:
Forbes: Best Magnesium Supplements Of 2022, According To Experts
Shape: What Is Magnesium Good for, Exactly?
BBC: Top 6 health benefits of magnesium
Important Note: The information contained in this article is for general informational purposes only, and should not be construed as health or medical advice, nor is it intended to diagnose, prevent, treat, or cure any disease or health condition. Before embarking on any diet, fitness regimen, or program of nutritional supplementation, it is advisable to consult your healthcare professional in order to determine its safety and probable efficacy in terms of your individual state of health.