Emerging Evidence Suggests Higher Consumer Demand for Magnesium Supplements
Magnesium is the fourth most abundant mineral in the body. There are 300 enzymes in the body that depend on an adequate supply of magnesium for their proper functioning and it is needed for important biological activities such as protein synthesis, carbohydrate metabolism, muscle function and the proper absorption of calcium and potassium. The functions of magnesium range from regulating blood sugar and heart rhythm to promoting bone and immune health.
Most Americans Are Not Getting Enough Magnesium
The Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of magnesium is between 310 to 420 mg/day. A Gallup poll conducted over the telephone in 2004uncoveredthat 4 out of 5 Americans aged 18 years, or over 1,were not getting enough magnesium from diet alone. The poll also revealed only 35 percent of Americans that took a daily vitamin and mineral supplement achieved their daily RDA of magnesium.
The National Institutes of Health also confirms these findings. Data collected from the 1999-2000 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey reported lower intakes of magnesium on average, but particularly among African-American men and older adults.2
Consumer Demand for Magnesium Supplements
Innovation, increasing clinical research on magnesium benefits and growing consumer awareness are factors that are driving the sales of magnesium supplements. Currently, the consumer demand for magnesium supplements is second only to calcium. SPINS, a market research company based in Schaumburg, Ill., reports a 20 percent increase in U.S.-based sales of magnesium supplements in the natural and conventional outlet from 2011 to 2012. In 2010 to 2011, the growth in sales was 15 percent.Euromonitor reports a 3 percent growth in the sale of magnesium supplements with countries in the Middle East, Asia Pacific and Africa showing the highest percentage of increase.3
Different Types of Magnesium Supplements
Magnesium can be manufactured in several delivery formats including tablets, capsules and beverage powders. While the calcium-magnesium combination is already popular in targeting bone health, there are several other combinations of magnesium supplementsthat offer a variety of health benefits.
Each form of magnesium has varying absorption rates. For instance, magnesium glycinate, a chelated form of magnesium, is said to offer the highest bio-absorption rate and therefore is a good option for those who have magnesium deficiencies.Magnesium oxide is a non-chelated form of magnesium containing 60 percent magnesium. Magnesium chloride and magnesium lactate contain 12 percent magnesium but according to the National Institutes of Health, these two forms of magnesium supplements may offer a greater rate of bio-absorption than magnesium oxide. Magnesium sulfate works as a laxative; magnesium carbonate as an antacid. Trimagnesium citrate is one of the most absorbable forms.4
A Good Time to Add Magnesium Supplements to Your Product Line
Supplement business owners can help their customers meet their daily RDA’s for magnesium by producing a variety of magnesium supplements that target general health or promote condition-specific benefits.
The first step in creating a magnesium supplement is to partner with vitamin manufacturersthat have a reputation for providing best-in-class turnkey services and award-winning customer service. Choosing nutritional supplement manufacturers that offer manufacturing, graphic and label design and order fulfillment under one roof not only saves you money but ensures a favorable product turnaround time.
References: Majority of Americans Not Getting Enough Magnesium, PRNewswire, prnewswire.com/news-releases/majority-of-americans-not-getting-enough-magnesium-71354497.html Magnesium, Dietary Supplement Fact Sheet, National Institutes of Health. ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Magnesium-HealthProfessional/ Magnesium, “Sky is the Limit” for the “hottest ingredient in the category”. nutraingredients-usa.com/Health-condition-categories/Bone-joint-health/Magnesium-Sky-is-the-limit-for-the-hottest-ingredient-in-the-mineral-category Magnesium, Dietary Supplement Fact Sheet, National Institutes of Health. ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Magnesium-HealthProfessional/
