Magnesium | Why Most People Are Deficient + How to Choose the Right Supplement
If there's one mineral that comes up more than any other in conversations at our counter, it's magnesium. And with good reason — an estimated 60% of people fall below recommended magnesium levels, often without realising it.
The symptoms are easy to miss or explain away: disrupted sleep, low energy, muscle tension, heightened anxiety, difficulty recovering from exercise. These are things many of us accept as part of modern life. Often, they don't have to be.
Why Is Magnesium So Important?
Magnesium is involved in over 300 enzymatic processes in the body. It plays a role in energy production, muscle and nerve function, blood sugar regulation, sleep quality, and the nervous system's ability to manage stress. It's one of those foundational nutrients that quietly underpins almost everything — which is why a shortfall tends to be felt across multiple areas at once rather than in one obvious way.
Modern diets, high stress levels, alcohol consumption, and certain medications can all deplete magnesium. Soil depletion means that even a diet rich in vegetables and wholegrains may not deliver what it once did. For most people living in the UK today, dietary magnesium alone simply isn't enough.
Not All Magnesium Supplements Are Equal
This is where it gets important — and where a lot of supplements fall short.
Walk into any pharmacy or browse online and you'll find magnesium supplements ranging from £5 to £30, many labelled "high strength" at 375mg or more. What those labels often don't tell you is the form of magnesium being used.
The most commonly used form is magnesium oxide — cheap to manufacture, easy to include at high doses, and poorly absorbed by the body. Studies suggest its absorption rate may be as low as 4%. A supplement can look impressive on paper while delivering very little where it matters.
The forms that the body absorbs and uses most effectively are magnesium citrate and magnesium bisglycinate. Citrate supports the gut and muscles, while bisglycinate — a form of magnesium bound to the amino acid glycine — is increasingly valued for its role in stress, sleep, and nervous system support. Glycine itself has calming properties, which makes bisglycinate particularly well suited to evening use.
Why We Formulated Ours at 250mg
When we developed the Apothecary 27 Magnesium, we made a deliberate decision that some customers initially question — we formulated it at 250mg rather than the higher doses you'll see elsewhere.
The reason is simple: we chose to prioritise absorption over label appeal. By combining magnesium citrate and bisglycinate — two of the most bioavailable forms available — at a carefully considered dose, we created a supplement the body can actually use. A lower number on the label, but a form your body is far happier to absorb.
The results speak for themselves. Of all the products in the Apothecary 27 Collection, Magnesium generates more feedback than any other — and the comments we hear most often are about sleep. Deeper, more restful nights. Less waking. A feeling of having properly switched off. It's something we never tire of hearing.
How to Take It
Magnesium is best taken in the evening, around 30–60 minutes before bed. This aligns with its role in nervous system and sleep support, and allows the bisglycinate in particular to work with your body's natural wind-down process.
It can be taken with or without food. If you're new to magnesium supplementation, starting with one capsule and building to two gives the body time to adjust.
Apothecary 27 Magnesium — The Details
Our Magnesium combines magnesium citrate and bisglycinate at 250mg per serving. No fillers, no binders, no unnecessary additives. Thoughtfully developed by our in-house nutritionist and available in store at our Haslemere wellness destination and online.
It is, and has been since we launched, our best-selling product. We think that says everything.
Magnesium is involved in over 300 biochemical processes in the body — from energy production and muscle function to sleep quality and stress response. Most people aren't getting enough. Our formula combines two of the most bioavailable forms available, at a meaningful therapeutic dose, in a clean plant-based capsule with no unnecessary additives.
90 Capsules / 6 Week Supply