Magnesium bisglycinate is an essential mineral needed for more than 300 enzymatic reactions in the body. This mineral is required for the formation of healthy bones and teeth, protein and fatty acid formation, activating B vitamins, supporting muscle activity, nerve transmission, relaxing blood vessels, clotting blood, temperature regulation and ensuring intestinal mobility also called bowel movements. Magnesium bisglycinate is magnesium bound to the amino acid glycine. This binding makes the magnesium highly absorbable. For example you would have to take 4 times the amount of magnesium citrate to get the equivalent amount of magnesium bisglycinate. The bisglycinate form of magnesium does not require stomach acid for absorption as it passes into the cell via its amino acid transport, which means even those with poor digestion or absorption get the benefits. Magnesium bisglycinate is an excellent choice for aiding those with depression, anxiety or migraine headaches. Stress of all types including chemical, emotional, hormonal or physical stress depletes magnesium from the body. Since magnesium relaxes muscles and nerves, more magnesium is needed when you are under stress. When we are under stress our adrenal glands produce cortisol which further increases acidity in the body thereby increasing the need for even more magnesium. Because magnesium is required in the metabolism of estrogen in the body, low levels of magnesium increases estrogen leading to estrogen dominance. Symptoms of too much estrogen include premenstrual breast and uterine pain, headaches, backaches, premenstrual depression and mood swings. Women on the birth control pill or hormone replacement therapy also become deficient in magnesium as the drugs deplete magnesium. Anyone with an estrogen dominant condition like endometriosis, PMS, fibroids, ovarian cysts, period problems or breast cysts need magnesium bisglycinate. Interestingly, many women crave chocolate during their premenstrual and menstrual period. Chocolate is high in magnesium! Magnesium deficiency is common due to our consumption of processed foods and the depletion of magnesium from agricultural soils and water. Magnesium supplementation can help with many conditions from high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat or heart palpitations, to insomnia, anxiety and depression to fibromyalgia, osteoporosis and leg cramps at night or following exercise.