Magnesium: The Overlooked “Miracle Mineral”
We often learn more from failure than from success. One of my earliest lessons in clinical humility came in the early 1990s, with one of my first patients — a physician named Dr. Jay Cohn.
At that time, Jay was suffering from a debilitating inflammatory condition that caused severe pain in his legs and hips. Some days, he couldn’t work as a doctor. Other days, he couldn’t even walk. He had tried every conventional treatment available, with no lasting relief.
I applied every functional medicine protocol I knew — and while we saw minor, fleeting improvements, nothing truly worked. Fish oils helped the most, hinting that inflammation was at the root of his pain.
Then one day, Jay called and asked me to visit him. When I arrived, I witnessed what can only be described as a natural healing breakthrough. Jay was walking around pain-free — completely recovered.
His discovery? A simple, safe, non-toxic supplement that transformed his health and later defined much of his career: magnesium.
What Do Magnesium Lab Tests Actually Tell Us?
Since that time, I’ve been fascinated by magnesium and its incredible range of benefits. Magnesium deficiency is one of the most common — and most overlooked — nutritional imbalances I see in clinical practice.
While calcium often gets the spotlight, low magnesium causes far more health problems. Maintaining optimal magnesium levels can have remarkable effects, even when lab results appear “normal.”
You can measure magnesium with a blood test, but here’s the catch:
Even when your blood levels are normal, your tissues and cells may still be depleted — and you may still benefit from supplementation.
Many patients get confused by test abbreviations like “RBC magnesium,” which simply refers to magnesium levels inside red blood cells.
In short:
- Low magnesium on a test means you’re deficient and need to replenish.
- Normal magnesium on a test doesn’t necessarily mean you’re optimal — many people still benefit from extra magnesium for therapeutic support.
That’s because magnesium isn’t just a deficiency issue — it’s a therapeutic tool. Whether your labs are low or normal, magnesium supports hundreds of biochemical reactions that calm inflammation and restore balance.
Magnesium for Pain, Blood Pressure, and Migraines
Magnesium acts as a powerful vasodilator, helping relax blood vessels and improve circulation. This is one reason it’s so effective for:
- Chronic pain syndromes
- High blood pressure
- Migraine headaches
- PMS, anxiety, and insomnia
Even when lab results are normal, magnesium supplementation can reduce symptoms by improving the body’s ability to manage stress, inflammation, and nerve function.
A Story of Transformation and Scientific Curiosity
Once Dr. Cohn recovered, he dedicated the next phase of his career to researching magnesium and raising awareness about its benefits.
He went on to write several books and advocate for using magnesium as a first-line treatment for many common conditions. He didn’t reject conventional medicine — he simply redefined it. Jay also became a voice of reason in addressing the problem of overprescribing in modern medicine, reminding doctors that more medication isn’t always better.
Why Magnesium Matters for the Brain and Body
From fatigue to insomnia, from menstrual cramps to muscle tension, magnesium deficiency can drive a long list of common symptoms.
Here’s why: magnesium is a cofactor in hundreds of enzymatic reactions, including those that regulate:
- Blood vessel tone and circulation
- Energy production in mitochondria
- Muscle relaxation and nerve signaling
- Brain chemistry and mood balance
Low magnesium contributes to brain inflammation and excessive levels of glutamate, a neurochemical that can overstimulate and damage neurons. This “overexcited” brain chemistry can lead to anxiety, depression, insomnia, or irritability.
Magnesium helps by blocking the calcium channel that triggers this damaging cascade — literally protecting your neurons from burning out.
From your brain to your gut, magnesium is a cornerstone of health and belongs on the list of “most critical nutrients of all time.”
A Personal Lesson in Perspective
Dr. Cohn became a lifelong friend and mentor to me. Before his passing, we had many conversations about medicine, healing, and humility.
Once, frustrated by the overprescribing I saw in conventional medicine, I asked him why so many doctors rely solely on drugs when safer natural options exist.
He paused, smiled, and said simply:
“That’s why they call it medicine, Dan. The job is to prescribe medicine.”
That conversation changed my outlook. I realized that every practitioner operates within their training — and that the goal isn’t to reject medicine, but to integrate natural and functional approaches where they make sense.
How I Use Magnesium in Practice
I recommend magnesium to nearly all new patients as part of a high-quality multivitamin-mineral formula. The key is to use a product that contains more magnesium than calcium, and to add additional magnesium as needed to reach therapeutic levels.
A few clinical notes:
- Too much magnesium can cause loose stools — a sign to reduce dosage.
- The citrate form is my preferred choice because it enhances both energy production and absorption.
- Cheap magnesium supplements often lack the right carrier molecule and are poorly absorbed — always verify product quality.
Even patients who have taken low-quality magnesium for years can experience breakthroughs when switched to a clinically effective form and dose.
Final Thoughts
Magnesium remains one of the most powerful and versatile nutrients I’ve ever worked with. It can restore energy, calm the nervous system, improve sleep, and reduce inflammation — often producing results where conventional therapies fall short.
It was magnesium that first taught me the power of natural medicine to truly heal.
Ready to Learn More?
If you’re a practitioner who wants to deepen your understanding of how nutrients like magnesium can transform patient outcomes, explore the Kalish Institute’s Functional Medicine Training Programs.
