Magnesium is a mineral with a fundamentally important physiological function in the body and is essential in a wide range of fundamental cellular reactions. Complexed with adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the main carrier of metabolic energy in the body, magnesium is essential for all biosynthetic processes including the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins along with proper muscle function.
Magnesium is also critical in the development and maintenance of bones and teeth. In a randomized control trial, supplementation with magnesium glycinate in pregnant women was shown to significantly decrease muscle cramping frequency and intensity.