Magnesium is an essential mineral that was once abundantly found in our food and water supply. This is no longer the case, as our soils have been depleted and our municipal water supplies’ integrity is questionable..
This mineral is required by our bodies for thousands of enzymatic reactions that occur on a cellular level such as energy production, muscle contraction and DNA synthesis to name a few important things. Sadly, the case is that majority of us humans are magnesium (Mg) deficient, as our Mg burn rate increases when we’re under stress.
If you have not been actively supplementing Mg over these last couple years (avoiding Mg oxides, citrates, carbonate, glutamate and aspartame – the only natural forms of Mg are chloride, sulfate and bicarbonate), then there’s a good chance you’re deficient and your body would respond well to supplementing Magnesium Bicarbonate.
What You’ll Need to make Magnesium Bicarbonate
- Magnesium Hydroxide Powder (I used the Mg Hydroxide from Crucial Four)
- Water carbonator to carbonate water (or carbonated drinking water)
- Some time and minimal effort
I personally find that it’s a lot easier (and MUCH more cost effective) to own a water carbonator when making your own Mg Bicarbonate. Plus it’s a nice chemistry experience converting Mg Hydroxide into Bicarbonate, watching the liquid go from white, opaque to transparent and clear!
Here’s how to make Magnesium Bicarbonate at home:
Step 1 – Carbonate water
I use a Soda Stream to carbonate around 1L of filtered alkaline water.
Step 2 – Add Magnesium Hydroxide powder to carbonated water
I add about 1.5 teaspoon of the Magnesium Hydroxide powder into a litre of carbonated water. The powder will undergo a chemical reaction with the pressurized carbon molecules in the carbonated water to create Magnesium Bicarbonate.
Step 3 – Shake Vigorously
Immediately place lid on the bottle after placing the Mg Hydroxide powder into your carbonated water and shake vigorously for about a minute to ensure all of the powder is converted.
Step 4 – Keep shaking the bottle every so often
I actually carry around the bottle for the first couple hours after making a batch of Mg Bicarbonate, and shake whenever I remember to (more frequently within the first couple hours).
Step 5 – Transfer into glass container for storage
Once the liquid has turned from a white colour to clear, transfer it into a glass container and store in your fridge (I don’t believe there’s an expiration date on this stuff, although this isn’t medical advice or anything).
I take about 3 to 6 ounces of the Magnesium Bicarbonate supplement once it’s complete, on a daily basis to keep up with my Mg burn-rate and to ensure that my body is receiving an adequate supply of this essential mineral.
References
Magnesium bicarbonate facts, formula, synthesis, properties, uses. Chemistry Learner. (2021, June 4). Retrieved March 23, 2022, from https://www.chemistrylearner.com/magnesium-bicarbonate.html
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