Depleted Soil and the Global Magnesium Deficiency Problem

Introduction

Modern agriculture has transformed the way we feed the world – but it has also quietly altered the nutrient quality of our food. Several studies have found that the mineral content of fruits, vegetables, and grains has steadily declined over the past 70 years.

Among these nutrients, magnesium – a mineral essential for energy production, cardiovascular health, and brain function – has shown one of the steepest drops. This trend is largely due to industrial farming practices that prioritize crop yield over soil regeneration. As a result, even well-balanced diets may not provide the same micronutrient density that they once did.

While magnesium-rich foods remain a cornerstone of good nutrition, this growing imbalance highlights why maintaining adequate magnesium intake through both diet and bioavailable supplementation – such as Magtein^® (magnesium L-threonate) – has become increasingly important.

Soil Depletion and Agricultural Change Over Time

The decline in soil quality is not new. Since the mid-20th century, intensive monocropping, synthetic fertilizers, and soil-disruptive tillage have accelerated nutrient depletion. Many of these fertilizers replenish nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK) but not trace minerals like magnesium. Over time, magnesium is easily leached by irrigation and rainwater, leaving soils progressively less fertile.

A meta-analysis published in Plant and Soil reported that soils depleted in magnesium produced crops with up to 40 percent lower magnesium content than those grown in balanced, organically amended soil. Similarly, longitudinal data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture show measurable declines in magnesium content of spinach, carrots, and cabbage between 1950 and 2010.

This pattern extends globally. Research in the Foods journal found that the mineral density of major crops in the United Kingdom, Australia, and the U.S. has dropped by 20 to 35 percent over the last century. These changes reflect both soil depletion and altered crop genetics – hybrids bred for rapid growth rather than nutrient density.

Magnesium’s Role in Plant and Human Health

Magnesium acts as the “central atom” in chlorophyll, enabling plants to capture sunlight and convert it into chemical energy.⁹ Without adequate magnesium, photosynthesis falters, leading to lower plant yield and weakened nutrient transfer to humans.

In the human body, magnesium is required for more than 300 enzymatic reactions, including ATP synthesis, DNA stabilization, and nerve-muscle signaling.¹⁰ It also supports bone formation, cardiovascular rhythm, and stress regulation.¹¹

Because soil magnesium influences plant magnesium, and plant magnesium influences human intake, this mineral forms a continuous biological thread between the environment, agriculture, and public health. When any part of that chain weakens, the ripple effects can be far-reaching.*

Evidence of Declining Magnesium Intake in Human Populations

Data from national nutrition surveys reinforce the agricultural evidence. The U.S. NHANES database indicates that almost half of all American adults consume less than the Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) for magnesium. Older adults, women, and individuals following calorie-restricted diets are particularly at risk.

Dietary patterns high in refined grains, which have their magnesium-rich bran layers removed, compound the issue. Even individuals emphasizing fruits and vegetables may fall short if the crops they consume are grown in nutrient-depleted soils.

The consequences of low magnesium intake are subtle but cumulative – manifesting as fatigue, muscle tension, sleep disruption, or mood imbalance over time. For this reason, maintaining magnesium sufficiency through both diet and supplementation can help sustain long-term cellular resilience.*

Why This Matters: The Human Nutrition Angle

Some argue that supplementation is unnecessary if one eats “real food.” While whole foods are always preferred, this assumption depends on food quality matching historical nutrient levels – which research shows is no longer the case.

Soil depletion is not the only factor at play. Environmental stressors such as pollution, increased carbon dioxide concentrations, and food transport time also reduce micronutrient stability. Additionally, modern stress levels and medication use can accelerate magnesium loss from the body, making dietary intake alone insufficient for many people.*

This is where targeted, bioavailable forms of magnesium can help. Magnesium L-threonate was designed to support magnesium transport into the brain, and preclinical research shows it can cross the blood–brain barrier and raise magnesium levels in neural tissue. Supporting magnesium at this level may help sustain memory, focus, and relaxation – key elements of cognitive and emotional balance.*

Supporting Magnesium Status in Light of Soil Depletion

1. Prioritize Magnesium-Rich Foods

Include leafy greens, legumes, nuts, seeds, and whole grains. When possible, choose produce from farms that practice regenerative or organic agriculture, as these methods restore soil mineral content.

2. Optimize Nutrient Absorption

Vitamin C enhances magnesium uptake, while diets high in processed foods, alcohol, or caffeine can interfere with absorption. Pairing magnesium-rich meals with vitamin C-rich fruits or vegetables can support bioavailability.

3. Consider Evidence-Based Supplementation

Bioavailable forms such as magnesium glycinate, citrate, or Magtein (magnesium L-threonate) complement a nutrient-dense diet by supporting cellular and neurological magnesium levels. Unlike standard forms, Magtein’s unique structure allows magnesium to cross into the brain, where it can influence neural signaling and synaptic plasticity.*

4. Maintain Lifestyle Balance

Regular exercise, restorative sleep, and stress-reduction practices (such as meditation) further support magnesium homeostasis and cellular recovery.*

Summary

The decline in soil minerals is more than an agricultural issue – it is a public-health concern that bridges ecology, nutrition, and long-term wellness. Magnesium stands at the center of this connection. As modern soils grow poorer in minerals, ensuring optimal magnesium intake becomes a critical step toward protecting cellular energy, cardiovascular balance, and cognitive vitality. Combining whole-food nutrition with advanced supplementation strategies like Magtein offers a proactive way to sustain magnesium levels despite environmental change.*

References

1. Scientific American. Dirt Poor: Have fruits and vegetables become less nutritious? April 27, 2011.
2. Davis DR, Epp MD, Riordan HD. Changes in USDA food composition data for 43 garden crops, 1950–1999. J Am Coll Nutr. 2004;23(6):669-682.
3. Bhardwaj RL, Parashar A, Parewa HP, Vyas L. An Alarming Decline in the Nutritional Quality of Foods: The Biggest Challenge for Future Generations’ Health. Foods. 2024;13(6):877. Published 2024 Mar 14. doi:10.3390/foods13060877
4. Gröber U, Schmidt J, Kisters K. Magnesium in prevention and therapy. Nutrients. 2015;7(9):8199-8226.
5. Cazzola R, Della Porta M, Manoni M, Iotti S, Pinotti L, Maier JA. Going to the roots of reduced magnesium dietary intake: A tradeoff between climate changes and sources. Heliyon. 2020;6(11):e05390. Published 2020 Nov 3. doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e05390
6. National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements. Magnesium – Fact Sheet for Health Professionals. Accessed 2025.
7. Slutsky I, et al. Enhancement of learning and memory by elevating brain magnesium. Neuron. 2010;65(2):165-177.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.